He was born on May 18, 1932 in Mangham, Louisiana to J. L. Pitman, Sr. and Nela Mae Jones. He grew up in Winnsboro, Louisiana and in 1950 married his childhood sweetheart, Betty Jean Cowart. They had 3 children—Tom, Rita and Kenny and he spent his early married years farming. In 1961, he felt God calling him into the ministry and moved his family to Memphis to attend bible college. He pastored his first church in 1965, and in 1968 he founded Berea Baptist Church of Horn Lake, Mississippi. He pastored this special and endearing church for 53 years until his death. He ministered at Berea Baptist Church to a loving and most faithful congregation of generations of families and his storied career in this ministry is legendary. Additionally, he hosted a weekly long-distance radio broadcast in Winnsboro for over 25 years. If he wasn’t at the church, you could find him on his John Deere tractor cutting five acres of the church grass and his home grass. He was well known for his precision cutting and he would let few people help him. He also loved gardening and raising his own tomatoes, cucumbers and figs. Spending time with family and church family and friends was always a priority.
He leaves his wife of 71 years, Betty Jean Cowart, son Tom Pitman of Memphis, TN, daughter Rita Pitman Vogt of Horn Lake, MS, and son Kenny (Patti) Pitman of Brentwood, TN. He had five grandchildren, Jason Vogt of Memphis, TN, Chris (Lauren) Pitman of Brentwood, TN, Daniel (Duane) Pitman of Brentwood, TN, Alicia (Robby) Graham of Nolensville, TN and Blake Pitman of Brentwood, TN. He also had four great grandchildren, Madison Pitman, Luke Pitman, Beau Pitman and Ella Sells.
A funeral service will be held on Thursday, December 9, at 2:00pm at Brantley Funeral Home in Olive Branch, Mississippi with a brief visitation prior to the service from 1:00pm to 2:00pm. Interment will immediately follow at New Bethlehem Cemetery in Horn Lake, Mississippi.
The Pitman family wishes to thank the Berea Baptist Church members for their outpouring of love and support during his brief illness and home going as well as for their dedication over the years to this great church. We are blessed to know each and every one of you, and we pray you will always be a part of our life.
Well done good and faithful servant of the Lord!
Memorials may be made to Berea Baptist Church, 5560 Goodman Road West, Horn Lake, Mississippi, 38637.
