Alton Ronald Pitts

ALTON RONALD PITTS was one of three sons born to the late Dr. Theodore R. and Genevieve Pitts. He was born on February 19, 1932 in Washington, DC. Due to the divine will of God, Alton was called from this earthly labor to his heavenly reward on Sunday, November 2, 1914. Alton received his formal education beginning in the Washington, DC. School system. There he attended Armstrong High School, where he played on the football team. When his family moved from Washington to Baltimore, Maryland, he transferred to Douglass High School. He later continued his studies at The Community College of Baltimore. Alton had a strong work ethic. He sought employment at a very young age and this expanded to 65 years of employment on various jobs. He worked in many management positions which took him to California, New York, New Jersey, Georgia, and in Maryland. His employment opportunities varied and included such companies as The Coca-Cola Bottling Company, Pollock Johnny's restaurant, and Chic-Fil-A, to name a few. Alton was most proud of the position he held in the office of the Honorable Elijah E. Cummings, member of Congress, whom he admired and greatly appreciated. It was from this position that he retired, in April of 2013, after 14 years of dedicated service. After returning back to Baltimore in February, 1976, God had another plan for his life. He met the former Jeanne Byrd in September, 1976 and started to visit the church she attended. They were united in Holy Matrimony on October 22, 1977, at the First United Church of Jesus Christ. Alton was a very caring and devoted family man, who loved his wife dearly. His concern for her well-being and care continued throughout their 37 years of marriage. In 1980, the Pitts' moved their former membership to become members of Victory Prayer Chapel, under the leadership of overseer Ruth Cummings and Pastor Katherine Sykes. While living in Atlanta, GA, Alton attended the Ebenezer Baptist Church under the leadership of Rev. Martin Luther King, Sr., who inspired him to grow in his Christian faith. As a result of that inspiration, after joining the Victory Prayer Chapel, he was filled with the gift of the Holy Ghost. Brother Pitts was later called by God to the ministry, and was anointed as Elder in 1983. To this position, he proved faithful until God called him home after 34 years of membership at Victory Prayer Chapel. Elder Pitts was truly a man of God and a role model to the entire church. He served in various positions in the church such as, The Prison Ministry, The Nursing Home Ministry, Director of the Male Chorus, and as a member of the Trustee Board. Elder Pitts also taught the Young People's Male Sunday School Class. He was a mentor for the young men, and eventually trained two of them to be teachers for the class. As a result of his outstanding mentorship, the young men he taught are regular church attendees and are striving hard to be productive, spiritually and naturally. In ever thing Elder Pitts did, he included the Lord. He always spoke words of encouragement that would edify anyone he spoke to. His warm handshake and beautiful smile always demonstrated his love of God. Elder Pitts strived hard to be the man of God that the Bible speaks of. The Victory Prayer Chapel family will sorely miss, “Our Elder Pitts.” Elder Pitts was also an instructor at the Wilbur H. Waters Divinity School of Religion, where he taught Old Testament Survey. In addition, he was the President of New Hope Ministries, a Counter-Cult Ministry that gave presentations in churches to inform the body of Christ of the dangers of cult activity. Elder Pitts was preceded in death by his two brothers Theodore and Gerald Pitts; a daughter, Bonita Byrd-Cox; and sister-in-law, Bernice Branford Lewis. Elder Pitts leaves behind: the “Love of his Life”, Jeanne who he affectionately called “JB”; and two daughters, Gloria E. Pitts and Sandra Scott. From his blended family; one daughter, Cheryl Byrd; two sons, Charles G. Byrd Jr. and Bradford A. Byrd; nine grandchildren, two great-grandsons, two great-granddaughters; one sister-in-law, Brenda Pitts Haynes; one aunt, Ruth Booker, numerous cousins, friends, and body members of Jesus Christ.

Tributes

Alton Ronald Pitts

February 19, 1932 - November 2, 2014