Julia Swann Pittman

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.