Julia Swann Pittman, 81, of Morganton, NC passed away on Christmas Day, Wednesday, December 25, 2024. She was born on March 15, 1943 in Marion, NC to Norman “Lee” Swann and Bessie Knight Swann and was raised in her beloved, thriving little town of Spruce Pine, NC. Julia was a retired teacher with over 50 years in the classroom and a member of the First United Methodist Church of Morganton.
In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by a sister, Amanda Phelps; brother, Marion Swann.
She is survived by her sister, Bettie Gunter; her sons, Chris Pittman and Tim Pittman (Angie); grandchildren, Michaela Yost (Alex), Sophia Pittman, Lillie Miller (Logan) and Troy Martin; great-grandchildren, Xander and Danielle Ruth.
As a child she loved reading books, taking the nearby Toe River walking bridge with her family to the Carolina Theater on Lower Street, and watching classic Hollywood movies in the Carolina Theater. She would eagerly come home to dance up and down the front steps of the house on Tappan Street, reenacting the scenes she had just seen on the screen. She loved playing football with her older brother and her cousins Jimmy and Jerry Young. Julia cherished her family, teachers, and classmates.
At a young age, creative teachers recognized her and some of her classmates’ talents and took time to teach them how to dance, sing, and perform. By the time she was in high school, Julia would go on to entertain at school functions, in talent contests, at various civic events, and on the radio, often singing with her good friends and cousins Kathy and Beth Bartlett. She loved involving her classmates and putting together skits that would fill the room with laughter. At Harris High, she was drum major and started on a basketball team that won a conference championship. She looked forward to the Class of 1961 reunions and reminiscing about the wonderful and funny times they all had growing up together in Spruce Pine.
She loved going to church, particularly growing up in Spruce Pine Methodist and participating in Methodist Youth Fellowship. She remembers their excursions on the Blue Ridge Parkway and singing old hymns together and hearing it echo through the hills. She sang for many years in the FUMC Choir and also in the Morganton Combined Choir. She would also help direct several plays in the FUMC fellowship hall.
Julia graduated Magna Cum Laude at Western Carolina College, majoring in English and French. Not only did she dedicate herself in the classroom, but she quickly connected with other teachers who shared her love of music, dance, and theater. Those fellow directors became some of her closest friends. While she would occasionally perform, she truly enjoyed directing and choreographing people of all ages. Earlier in her career, she was able to blend being a caring mother with being a dedicated teacher, club sponsor, and show choreographer or director. She would often bring her two sons to rehearsals and performances, and they learned what it takes to put together a show. Both sons grew up to act, sing, and direct shows themselves, sharing the love of and respect for theater with others. Aside from watching movies, Julia, Chris, and Tim most enjoyed watching basketball and football games together.
She believed deeply in enriching students’ lives by helping high school students connect with literature. She would always tell interesting background information about the authors and give the history behind the story. She wanted students to have the life skill of expressing themselves on the written page and speaking in front of people. Grading papers, particularly writing, was a labor of love. She carefully read each paper, looking for ways to encourage each student while suggesting ways to clarify the student-writer’s intended meaning. She believed in instilling a sense of responsibility, being fair, and providing opportunities for improving one’s grade if the struggling student was showing effort to learn. She always valued opportunities to teach, listen, learn, laugh, or rejoice in being with good people.
A funeral service will begin at 10:30 am on Saturday, January 4, 2025 at First United Methodist Church. The family will receive friends following the service. Burial will be at 2 pm on Saturday at Spruce Pine Memorial Cemetery with Rev. Holly McKim officiating.
Memorial contributions may be made to St Jude Children’s Research Hospital or the Shriners Children’s Hospitals.
Sossoman Funeral Home and Crematory Center is assisting the family with the arrangements.
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Dear Julia, your presence will forever leave a light in our hearts. Love Judy and Troy
It is with a heavy heart that I share my condolences on the passing of Ms. Pittman, a remarkable woman and beloved teacher. She was not only a guiding light in my life, encouraging me with her wisdom and kindness, but she also extended that same warmth and support to my daughter, Kristen, as she began her journey at Ms. Pittman’s beloved alma mater, Western Carolina University. It feels fitting that such a beautiful soul would leave this world on a day as radiant and meaningful as Christmas Day. Her legacy of compassion, inspiration, and dedication to her students will continue to shine brightly in the hearts of all who had the privilege of knowing her. My deepest condolences to her family during this difficult time. Rest well, Ms. Pittman; you will be deeply missed but forever cherished.
To the family, I am so very sorry to hear of the passing of my all-time favorite teacher, Mrs. Julie Pittman. She definitely was one of a kind and they just don't make them like her anymore. She truly made an impact on my life and I have looked back fondly of my time spent with her in Basic Speech (x2, there is more to that story). There were also the times she would get on to me about using swear words often remarking, "using words like that make you sound uneducated". Mrs. Pittman truly loved and cared about her students, often after they had graduated and moved on. After serving in the military and coming home, I would often see her inside Patriot stadium, cheering on our beloved Freedom Patriots, and she would always take the time to say hello, ask me how I was doing and telling me how proud she was of me! I Loved Mrs. Pittman and I appreciate the impact she had on my life. She will be missed by many, but I am sure when she walked into glory, into the arms of Jesus she heard these words, "well done, my good and faithful servant"!
Freedom High School, Freshman year, 1977. Day 1: My homeroom teacher stops in the middle of here "Welcome To The Jungle" speech to argue, full out verbal fight with the teacher on the other side of the partition. It seemed real, they were good at this, the other teacher (that I never actually had as a teacher) wes Mrs. Pittman. These two comedians taught me on day 1 not to take things quite so seriously. Their "fight" was all show, it truly "broke the ice" of the new school, new year, new world we had begun.
Freedom High class of 1988, thank you for expressing the part about Grading papers was a labor of love. My memory dates back to 1986, we had a writing assignment. She dramatically handed every ones papers back and said only one person in the class made an A on this assignment . Everyone else needs to re write their papers using this one as a template. I was shocked that the one person that made the Ms. Pittman cut, was my paper. She would appreciate this beautifully written obituary as a testimony of a well lived life. Rest in peace Julia.
I’m so sorry to her of Ms. Pittman’s; but, I’m even more glad and grateful that she died in The Lord, Who is The Giver of Eternal Life! I pray continued comfort to her family both now and always as they know she’s alive and well with Jesus! I thank You, Lord, for blessing us with Ms. Pittman as a teacher. I learned a lot from her English Lit classes particularly about government where she had us research and defend our assigned government (role play😊). My group had fascism and when a fellow student spoke a snide but true remark that we couldn’t “defend”, Ms. Pittman, noticing our speechlessness, quickly stepped in and asked them a question about their government that immediately ended their condescending attitude and argument! It’s been almost 40 years, and I still think about it periodically and am still grateful! Thank you, Ms. Pittman for the care and love you shared for your students! Thank you, Chris and Tim, for sharing your mom! May God’s perfect peace that passes all understanding guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus!
Julia and I as ( Mimi & Nana) shared a unique opportunity as grandmothers to Michaela and Lillie. We were friends who because of our love for our children became best friends for thirty years. I will remember our good times, the joy, laughter and the amazing common bond we shared. Peace and love, my dear friend. I will miss you…… Brenda
Julia was a true renaissance woman who had the sweetest demeanor! I never had the privilege to take one of her classes, but I had classes in the partitioned classrooms next to hers, and as the way Freedom High School was designed, we could hear most everything said in the adjoining partitions. So many times I became intrigued by her lectures that my concentration would drift to the sound of her voice and it was like I was in her classroom in a way. At the same time, I was at the age between Chris and Tim, so I got to know them both. I could tell how much their mother influenced them and how much she encouraged them to reach their creative and intellectual potentials in a gentle, free-spirited way. As an adult, I got to sing with her in the Morganton Combined Choir and I know she enjoyed singing so much. Chris and Tim, I am so very sorry for your loss, and I think you were very lucky to have such an amazing mother. She raised two fine men.