Anne Marshall Pitts Keesee

KEESEE, ANNE MARSHALL PITTS - of Oak Ridge, passed away at Methodist Medical Center on Saturday, August 13, 2011. She was born on March 29, 1926 to Marshall and Bessie (Davis) Pitts in Lenoir, NC. A 1944 graduate of Crossnore Business College, Crossnore, NC, Anne came to Oak Ridge in 1945. She worked for Roane Anderson Company, Management Services Incorporated and Oak Ridge National Laboratory. Anne was an accomplished decorator and gardener. She was happiest when she was working in her yard. Her passion for her community began when she moved to Oak Ridge and continued throughout her life. She took great pride in her efforts to make her neighborhood a vibrant place. Anne enjoyed writing poetry. One of her favorites was about the City of Oak Ridge as the gates were about to be opened. It read in part, "When our job was finished And the war was o'er, We didn't go back home as planned, For it was home no more. Oak Ridge, as it is quaintly called, Is our new home you see, We like it here just as it is, Secluded, safe and free!" A world traveler, she especially enjoyed traveling with the ORNL retirees group and was always up for a trip anytime, anywhere. Her sharp wit and sense of humor kept all around her on their toes. No one ever had to wonder where they stood with Anne. Anne is preceded in death by her husband, Harold F. Keesee, her parents, sisters Pansy Kirby and Oleta Johnson and brother Jay Pitts. She is survived by children Mitzi K. Burgess and husband Terry of Oak Ridge and son Frank Keesee of Franklin, TN, grandchildren Jeffrey Jones and wife Heather of Mason, OH, Ashley Jones of Oak Ridge and Tiffany Burgess of Kingston, TN, great-grandchildren Aidan and Olivia Jones of Mason, OH, sisters Irene Hartsoe and Billie Sue West, both of Lenoir, NC and brothers Ray Pitts of Hudson, NC and Roy Pitts of Lenoir, NC.; and many nieces and nephews. Services will be held at 11:00 a.m. Wednesday, August 17, 2011, at St. Stephen's Episcopal Church with the Rev. Dr. Craig Kallio officiating. The family will receive friends at the church immediately following the service. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to St. Stephens Episcopal Church, 212 North Tulane Avenue, Oak Ridge, TN 37830. Online messages to the family may be left at www.martinoakridgefuneralhome.com. Martin Oak Ridge Funeral Home in charge of arrangements.