Philip Henry Pitts

Philip Henry Pitts of 811 West Union St., died on April 10, 2006 after a long illness. He was born January 17, 1912, and was the son of the late Noah O. Pitts and Maude Simpson Pitts of Glen Alpine, NC. Philip was the last surviving member of the family. Preceding him in death was his first wife, Vivian Hilton Pitts; sisters: Mrs. Thomas Garrison, Mrs. Frank Patton, brothers: Otis H. Pitts, Ralph S. Pitts, all of Morganton, and Dr. William R. Pitts of Charlotte, NC. Also preceding him in death was a son, Noah Andrews Pitts of Charlotte.

Philip was active in his church, Glen Alpine United Methodist, holding many offices in the church until his illness. The Pitts family supported the church in many ways, and even though they were members of other churches, Glen Alpine remained the home church. When the church was remodeled a few years ago, Phil and his wife, Helen, gave the elevator. He later joined the First United Methodist Church of Morganton.

Philip, with his three brothers, was in the lumber and construction business in Morganton and Glen Alpine. He was president of the Pitts Lumber Company, vice-president of Burke Lumber Company, and a member of Pitts Brothers Holding Company.

He was educated at Glen Alpine High School, Riverside Military Academy in Gainesville, Georgia and North Carolina State University in Raleigh, NC. North Carolina State University was dear to him and he supported it in many ways. He endowed an athletic scholarship and was an avid participant in Wolfpack activities. Philip was a member of the Phi Kappa Pi fraternity and a member of the Wallace Carl Riddick Society. This was in recognition of his support to the university through lifetime gifts. He was the first person from North Carolina to be appointed by the Governor to the North Carolina State Board of Trustees where he served six years. During Philip’s term of office, the plan for the veterinary school was developed. He was highly instrumental in its founding. Today, the North Carolina State University School of Veterinary Medicine is recognized as one of the best in the country.

Mr. Pitts was a long-time member of the Lions Club, a member of the Capital City Club and the Faculty Club, both in Raleigh, and a charter member of Mimosa Hills Golf and Country Club in Morganton.

Philip is survived by his wife, Helen Lanning Pitts, of the home; his son, Philip H. Pitts, Jr. and wife, Jackie, of Charlotte; his daughter, Rebecca Pitts Mitchell and husband, Jimmy of Jamestown, NC; four grandchildren; Susan Pitts Allbert and husband, John; Kelly Pitts Harrick and husband, Jeff, both of Charlotte; Jenny Mitchell Vestal and husband, Lee, and Trey Mitchell, all of Jamestown, NC; three great grandchildren; Caroline and Ann Brendle Allbert, and Philip Jeffrey Harrick, all of Charlotte.

The funeral will be at First United Methodist Church of Morganton on Thursday, April 13, 2006 at 11:00 AM with Rev. Carl W. Lindquist officiating. Interment will be private at Glen Alpine Cemetery before the service. After the service, the family will receive friends at the church. Memorials may be made to: Student Aid Association of North Carolina State University, P.O. Box 37100, Raleigh, NC 27695, or the First United Methodist Church, 200 N. King St., Morganton, NC 28655.