Jane Childress Pitts

Jane Childress Pitts, 87, of Glen Alpine went to her heavenly home February 9, 2021 after a brave and lengthy battle with Alzheimer’s. Born in Burke County, she was the second daughter of Earl C. and Ruby Gibbs Childress and grew up surrounded by a large extended family west of Glen Alpine. Jane graduated valedictorian of Glen Alpine High School where she was also May Queen, a cheerleader, member of the Debate Team, Chorus and Band, editor of the school yearbook and manager of the Girls’ basketball team.  In January 1953, Jane married high school sweetheart Gorman Pitts and together they raised three children and developed a small cattle farm that included a large garden.

Jane loved being a wife, mother, gardener, cook and seamstress. Most of all, she enjoyed helping and serving others. While caring for her young family, Jane attended & graduated from Lenoir Rhyne College with an education degree. Jane retired from the Burke County Public Schools after 28 years of employment as a secretary, a classroom teacher, an observer-evaluator and a computer coordinator. Jane loved teaching and her students. She wanted to help her students excel in their classes and fulfill their dreams. After retirement, Jane became an active member of the Delta Kappa Gamma International Society.

Jane was also a devoted and faithful member of Glen Alpine United Methodist Church (GAUMC) and served as Chairperson for the Administrative Council as well as numerous committees of GAUMC, President for the United Methodist Women and Secretary for United Methodist Marion District Mission Society. She served wherever she was needed for six decades from Vacation Bible School to leading Bible Studies, Sunday School classes, the Women’s Groups and singing in the choir. Jane and Gorman were the volunteer custodians of the Glen Alpine Cemetery for over 25 years. She was also past president of the Glen Alpine Woman’s Club and Den Leader for Cub Scout Pack 219.

Jane will be greatly missed by her friends, her church family and her immediate and extended family including her grandchildren who lovingly referred to her as “MeeMaw”. Each of us will remember wonderful meals, garden vegetables, fabulous cakes and pies, amazing smocked dresses and creative outfits for her grandchildren but most of all her enthusiasm and encouragement for every detail of our lives. For Jane, every day, every event was to be celebrated with thankfulness, joyful smiles, a table full of food and lots of laughter.

In addition to her parents, Jane was preceded in death by her sister, Edna Earl Shuford, two infant grandsons Aubrey and Railey Pitts and daughter-in-law Mary ’Chick’ Ammons Pitts. Those left behind to cherish Jane’s memory include her husband of 68 years, Gorman L. Pitts; three children, Douglas Pitts and wife Susan of Glen Alpine, Joe Pitts of Nebo, Patricia Spitz and husband Sandy of Matthews, NC; four grandchildren Lindsey Jane Poley and husband Jeffrey of Indian Land, SC, Haley Fields and husband Gregory of Raleigh, NC, Railey Pitts and Aaron Pitts of Glen Alpine; one great grandchild, Oliver Fields; sister-in-law Betty Pollard and brother-in-law Clifton ‘Abe’ Pitts both of Glen Alpine plus numerous nieces, nephews and cousins whom she loved dearly and who loved her.

The family wishes to express their sincere appreciation to the staff at Grace Heights Health and Rehabilitation for their sweet and loving care of Jane for the last four years and Lisa Henson, a compassionate neighbor who cared for Jane two years prior to her residency at Grace Heights and all the friends and family members that visited Jane, brought gifts and sent letters and cards during her illness.

Graveside services at the Glen Alpine Cemetery will be February 14, 2021, at 2p.m., with the Rev. Barbara Mayo officiating. Family will speak to friends following the graveside service. Memorial donations may be made to the Glen Alpine United Methodist Church and the Glen Alpine Cemetery Fund, P.O. Box 576, Glen Alpine, NC 28628.

Sossoman Funeral Home and Crematory Center is assisting the family with the arrangements.