He was preceded in death by two infant children, Kenneth Stephen Pittman and Susan Melinda Pittman; parents, Albert Allen Pittman and May Cox Pittman; eleven siblings; a daughter-in-law, Renee Polk Pittman; and a grandson, David Klay Pittman. Mr. Pittman is survived by his wife, Delores Fortenberry Pittman; a daughter, Laurie Pittman Dement; son, Danny Pittman and daughter-in-law Angela; a brother, Houston Pittman; six grandchildren, Brooke Walters (Eric), Dusty Pittman (Karen), Derek Pittman (Nikki), Chase Slocum, Keith Dement (Suzannah), Matthew Pittman (Courtney), and Dillon Dement; and fourteen great-grandchildren, Hallie Pittman, Kady Pittman, Korlie Pittman, Hadley Russell, Harrison Russell, Kenneth Abel: his name sake, Weston Slocum, Grayson Slocum, Bradley Dement, Micah Dement, Elaina Dement, Ruby Dement, Bella Rowell, and Asher Pittman. What an incredibly strong family for one man and his beautiful wife to create!
Papa was born in Kokomo MS and later began his young life in the Pine Burr community, working the farm with his siblings and parents and achieving an 8th grade education. In his early twenties, he operated heavy machinery near Chicago, Illinois and helped build O’Hara Field, briefly returning to Columbia, MS to marry his sweetheart, Delores. They spent the early years of their marriage in Illinois then moved back to Columbia to start their family. Kenneth opened Pittman’s Auto Service with an $800 loan from the bank and was a lifelong auto mechanic. His first shop on Hwy 13 North was a success for the young family man, who later moved to Hwy 35 North and finally home to Stuckey Road. In the 1970s and 1980s, he trained and showed Racking horses, placing in shows around the region. Kenny had a love for cars and trucks, and had an ability to diagnose and fix anything! Later in life he enjoyed birdwatching, his greenhouse, and spending time with his little dog Bob in his lap. Papa also helped raise and care for his first grandchildren In the 1980s and 1990s. They have many fond memories to carry with them: Sunday morning breakfasts, cooked by Papa, eaten around the kitchen bar before church; him marking their height on a wall in his shop as they grew; sitting with him in his cold air conditioned office while he filled out service tickets; eating deer sausage, cooked in foil on the shop’s wood heater; and picking muscadines with him. A man that knew nothing but hard work, he never slowed down and tackled everything life threw his way. Although he only reached an 8th grade education, he passed his GED at the same time as his son. In the 1990s, he was diagnosed with and beat cancer; going on to live a full life without it ever recurring! Alzheimer’s was the only obstacle in his life that he could not overcome. He was busy until the last few weeks of his life, constantly fixing things and was always on the move. Kenny leaves behind a rich legacy of hard work, determination, and the drive to do things right the first time. He could fry fish and barbecue chicken unlike any other man. He was a lifelong gardener and grew some of the largest squash, tomatoes, and watermelons you have ever seen. Always willing to lend a hand, he touched the lives of so many. We honor him and a life well lived.
Funeral services will be held at 3:00 PM on Tuesday, May 11, 2021 at Cedar Grove Baptist Church where family will receive friends from 2:00 PM until service time. Brother Tommy Broom will preside over services and interment will follow at Cedar Grove Cemetery assisted by Danny Pittman, Dusty Pittman, Derek Pittman, Matthew Pittman, Keith Dement, and Dillon Dement as pallbearers, and Eric Walters as an honorary pallbearer.
