Shirley Frazier Pitts

Beloved mother and wife, Shirley Frazier Pitts of Springfield Virginia, died peacefully in her sleep April 7, 2026 at INOVA Fairfax Hospital. She entered hospice care after struggling with congestive heart failure for several months. She was 90-years-old.

Shirley Mae Frazier was born in Spotsylvania, Virginia on June 7, 1935, the daughter of Otis Daniel Frazier and Nellie Mae Warren Frazier. The oldest of four siblings, she grew up in Fredericksburg, and met the love of her life, Frankie Dew Pitts, in the 4th grade after moving to the Courtland Heights neighborhood. Both attended Spotsylvania High School and graduated in June of 1952. She briefly considered a career as a flight attendant before enrolling at Smithdeal Massey Business College in Richmond. She had various secretarial and administrative jobs after graduation.

On June 10, 1956 Shirley married Franklin Dew Pitts and became Shirley Frazier Pitts. At the time of her death, they were 2 months shy of their 70th wedding anniversary. A few years after they wed, Shirley and Frank moved to Annandale, and later Springfield, Virginia. Their first and only child, Melanie Cae, was born in 1962.

Shirley was a beautiful woman, both in looks and heart, and she had a deep Christian faith. Being close to her whole family, who were mostly in Fredericksburg and Richmond, was very important to her and she spent many joyful times together with them. She and her sister, Becky, would pray together every day, sometimes multiple times. She will be missed by all her family as a loving presence in their lives.

Shirley is survived by her husband Franklin Dew Pitts also of Springfield VA, daughter Melanie Pitts Green of Los Angeles CA, three siblings, Otis Arthur Frazier of Chesterfield VA, Rebecca Louise Frazier Caruthers of Clifton VA and Harvey Leon Frazier of Williamsburg VA, plus two grandchildren, Dashiell Frazier Green and Esmé Ramona Mollie Green, both of Los Angeles CA.

A graveside service will be held at Sunset Memorial Park in Fredericksburg, VA at a later date.