Frazier Pittman, 98
September 16, 1919 — October 10, 2017
Frazier Pittman, 98
Frazier Pittman
September 16, 1919 – October 10, 2017
Frazier Pittman, of Shiloh, passed away October 10 at the age of 98.
Born in Spruce Pine, NC, he was the son of the late Reuben Pittman and Mae (Willis) Sluder, and was preceded in death by his wife of 54 years Vergie Jackson Pittman, his younger brother James Harold Pittman, younger sister Mildred Pittman Carpenter, and eldest son Frazier Reuben Pittman.
After losing his father at 11 years old, Frazier left school after the eighth grade and went to work in a variety of jobs. Medically disqualified from military service during World War II because of a hearing impairment, he found work in Bethlehem Steel Corporation’s Baltimore shipyard building liberty ships for the war effort. He married Thelma Ash Pittman, of Baltimore, during the war, and she later passed of cancer in 1956. In 1959, he married Vergie Jackson Pittman, of Rutherfordton, who settled in Baltimore with him and worked as a school secretary.
Rising to become a foreman and manager at Bethlehem Steel, Frazier retired in 1980. The Pittmans then returned to Rutherford County to live, where Frazier was active as a deacon, Sunday School teacher, and 35+ year member of Long Branch Baptist Church in Shiloh. He was also a member of Gideon International, and a Master Mason with the Western Star Masonic Lodge in Rutherfordton. He perpetually placed God at the forefront of his life; his Bible was tattered and highlighted from daily reading, and his family and church congregation will miss his beautiful prayers that spoke of the glory and grace of our Heavenly Father.
Frazier was fond of seafood, including Maryland crab cakes and fried popcorn shrimp, eaten with his trademark combination of tartar sauce and ketchup; he also loved homemade ice cream and other sweets. He was a lifelong fan of Baltimore Orioles and Atlanta Braves baseball, and he attended games of the Forest City Owls into his mid-90s. He walked every day until his physical condition would no longer allow it, and he was a recognized fixture at the Rutherfordton Senior Center. Frazier was known for his infectious laugh, outgoing personality and kind spirit, and was a devoted husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, son and sibling.
Frazier is survived by two of his three sons, John Charles Pittman and his wife Donna, of Red Lion, PA; and Harold Everette Pittman and his wife Rebecca, of Phoenix, AZ. He is also survived by seven grandchildren – Marquel Pittman McKinzie of Baltimore; Tara Pittman Diaman and her husband Dave of Baltimore; Nicole Pittman Herberlig and her husband Bob of Lewisberry, PA; Jodi Pittman Neuman and her husband Aaron of Red Lion, PA; Daniel Pittman, of Rutherfordton, NC; Scott Pittman of Denton, TX; and Evan Pittman of Providence, RI. There are also eight great grandchildren.
A viewing will be held at 10:00 AM, Saturday, October 14, with Memorial Service at 11:00 AM at Long Branch Baptist Church, with burial immediately following at the Southern Baptist Church Cemetery. Rev. Jerry Ruppe, and Rev. John Perry will officiate. Donations in lieu of flowers may be made to Long Branch Road Baptist Church, 621 Long Branch Rd, Forest City, NC 28043.
A Visitation will follow the burial at Long Branch Baptist Church fellowship hall. Washburn & Dorsey Funeral and Cremation Service will handle arrangements.
Online condolences @www.washburndorsey.com.
September 16, 1919 – October 10, 2017
Frazier Pittman, of Shiloh, passed away October 10 at the age of 98.
Born in Spruce Pine, NC, he was the son of the late Reuben Pittman and Mae (Willis) Sluder, and was preceded in death by his wife of 54 years Vergie Jackson Pittman, his younger brother James Harold Pittman, younger sister Mildred Pittman Carpenter, and eldest son Frazier Reuben Pittman.
After losing his father at 11 years old, Frazier left school after the eighth grade and went to work in a variety of jobs. Medically disqualified from military service during World War II because of a hearing impairment, he found work in Bethlehem Steel Corporation’s Baltimore shipyard building liberty ships for the war effort. He married Thelma Ash Pittman, of Baltimore, during the war, and she later passed of cancer in 1956. In 1959, he married Vergie Jackson Pittman, of Rutherfordton, who settled in Baltimore with him and worked as a school secretary.
Rising to become a foreman and manager at Bethlehem Steel, Frazier retired in 1980. The Pittmans then returned to Rutherford County to live, where Frazier was active as a deacon, Sunday School teacher, and 35+ year member of Long Branch Baptist Church in Shiloh. He was also a member of Gideon International, and a Master Mason with the Western Star Masonic Lodge in Rutherfordton. He perpetually placed God at the forefront of his life; his Bible was tattered and highlighted from daily reading, and his family and church congregation will miss his beautiful prayers that spoke of the glory and grace of our Heavenly Father.
Frazier was fond of seafood, including Maryland crab cakes and fried popcorn shrimp, eaten with his trademark combination of tartar sauce and ketchup; he also loved homemade ice cream and other sweets. He was a lifelong fan of Baltimore Orioles and Atlanta Braves baseball, and he attended games of the Forest City Owls into his mid-90s. He walked every day until his physical condition would no longer allow it, and he was a recognized fixture at the Rutherfordton Senior Center. Frazier was known for his infectious laugh, outgoing personality and kind spirit, and was a devoted husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, son and sibling.
Frazier is survived by two of his three sons, John Charles Pittman and his wife Donna, of Red Lion, PA; and Harold Everette Pittman and his wife Rebecca, of Phoenix, AZ. He is also survived by seven grandchildren – Marquel Pittman McKinzie of Baltimore; Tara Pittman Diaman and her husband Dave of Baltimore; Nicole Pittman Herberlig and her husband Bob of Lewisberry, PA; Jodi Pittman Neuman and her husband Aaron of Red Lion, PA; Daniel Pittman, of Rutherfordton, NC; Scott Pittman of Denton, TX; and Evan Pittman of Providence, RI. There are also eight great grandchildren.
A viewing will be held at 10:00 AM, Saturday, October 14, with Memorial Service at 11:00 AM at Long Branch Baptist Church, with burial immediately following at the Southern Baptist Church Cemetery. Rev. Jerry Ruppe, and Rev. John Perry will officiate. Donations in lieu of flowers may be made to Long Branch Road Baptist Church, 621 Long Branch Rd, Forest City, NC 28043.
A Visitation will follow the burial at Long Branch Baptist Church fellowship hall. Washburn & Dorsey Funeral and Cremation Service will handle arrangements.
Online condolences @www.washburndorsey.com.
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