Joseph Chilton Gittings

Joe was proceeded in death by his parents, John Franklin Gittings and Jesse Thomas Gittings, his wife Joan Siedentop Gittings, his son, Joseph Henry Gittings, brothers Frank and Tom Gittings, sister, Lenora Philpott, and grandson James Robert Agurkis.

He is survived by his four daughters and their husbands: Paula (Ron) Stone of Mars Hill, NC, Diane (Robert) Agurkis, of Lincolnton, GA, Jessica (Jim) McCann of Franklin TN, and Alice (Jeff) Herring of Rome, GA; grandchildren, Michael (Sarah) Agurkis, Andrea Gittings, Jim, Jack and Mark McCann, Carson and Jackson Shaw; greatgrandchildren Rachel and Hannah Agurkis; sistersinlaw Hilda Gittings, and Jean Henderson, many loved nieces and nephews, and honorary Gittings family members, Jan and Phil Fergerson and their family, and Marian Hoskins. Whether you knew him as Mr. Gittings, Mr. G, Papa Joe, Uncle Joe, Granddaddy, Daddy or just Joe he always had a million dollar smile for you and a warm generous heart. He will be forever missed and loved.

Joe was born March 7th, 1927 in Roanoke Alabama. Upon completion of high school, Joe joined the U.S. Army. He was a proud Infantry Veteran of World War II and served in the South Pacific. It was during this time in the Pacific that Joe met his best friend Marvin Driscoll, and they remained friends his entire life.

After returning from the Pacific Joe graduated from Bradley University in 1948, and this is where he met and then married the love of his life Joan. They were together for almost 67 years before she passed away in 2014. In 1958 he and two partners opened Ford, Gittings and Kane Jewelers in Rome, Georgia. Mr. Gittings served as the watchmaker, the bench jeweler and lead to the sales team. He led the transition of the sale of the company from himself to his four daughters and Jan Fergerson in 1997 as he continued to serve as an invaluable mentor.

Joe left the trail he forged in life better than he found it. He received his Eagle Scout Award on December 7, 1941 and scouting would be a part of his world for the rest of his life. Joe Gittings served as a Scout Master of Troop 28 from 1953 to 1973. During that time, twenty young men rose to the rank of Eagle Scout, two of whom have served as council presidents, and several share the Silver Beaver Award with him. Mr. Gittings changed the lives of hundreds of young men while raising four daughters and one son of his own.

Joe Gittings was also one of the founders of STAR House, a halfway house for alcoholics, and served as its Chairman of the Board from 1970 to 1981. He was awarded a Lifetime Membership with the Greater Rome Chamber of Commerce for half a decade of service, was an original member of the Downtown Development Authority, was one of Committee of Twenty Eight, which planned for the future of Rome and Floyd County, and was a Heart of the Community Award recipient. He enjoyed squaredancing and traveling with his wife, and spending time with his family at Lake Martin, Alabama.

The family will receive friends at Daniel's Funeral Home in Rome, GA on Tuesday, August 30th from 5 to 8 pm. The funeral service will be at Trinity United Methodist Church of Rome on Wednesday, August 31st at 10:00 am with the Rev. David Wilson officiating. Joe’s Boys from Troop 28 are Honorary Pallbearers. Active Pallbearers are Michael Agurkis, Jack McCann, Mark McCann, Carson Shaw, Jackson Shaw and Chad Price. Graveside service will be held at 2:30 pm (Central time) Wednesday, August 31st at Old Union Cemetery in Jacksons Gap, AL with the Rev. David Wilson officiating.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be sent to Heyman Hospice Care at Floyd, P.O. Box 163, Rome, GA 301620163, The Northwest Council of the Boy Scouts, P. O. Box 1422, Rome, GA 301621422, or Star

House, 212 N. 5th Ave, Rome, GA 30165.

Daniel’s Funeral Home of Rome, GA has charge of the arrangements.