Barbara Ann Pitts

Barbara Ann Pitts, age 79 of Richmond, Virginia, passed away on Friday, July 22, 2016. She was born to the late Harry Butler Sr. and Ruth Robinson Butler on April 22, 1937. Barbara attended Buchanan Street Grammar School and Armstrong High School, before attending Harlem Hospital-School of Nursing in New York City where she was confirmed as a Registered Nurse. She began her career as a hospital nurse but shifted to Public Health Nursing with the New York City Department of Health for 38 years. During that time she obtained her Bachelors and Masters Degrees from Long Island University-Brooklyn Campus in Nursing and Public Health Administration. Barbara was a member of Chi Eta Phi Nursing Sorority. Barbara retired from the New York City Department of Health in 1995 and returned to her beloved Richmond, Virginia. She was an active member in the Bethlehem Baptist Church and Armstrong High School –Class of 1955 Alumni Association. She served on various committees and wherever the need arose she was an activist for patient rights. Family, friends, and travel were Barbara’s passion and delight. She loved to host and entertain in her home. Barbara grew up spending summer vacations with her brother and cousins. These experiences never left her. She traveled to Myrtle Beach where she would relax, eat, and listen to whistling of the waves against the rocks. Barbara enjoyed her time with her daughters and friends sunning in the Caribbean or taking in the sites in Washington, DC. Barbara was a member of the Armstrong HS ’55 Alumni Association. She loved her time and service with the Bethlehem Baptist Church Usher Board and Dance Ministry. She loved reading history, shopping, and eating her crabs. Her brother Harry James Butler Jr. preceded her in death. Barbara is survived by her husband, Theodore Pitts; two daughters, Barbara Dean Freeman (Dexter) and Robin Ruth Pitts; granddaughter, Alysha Kamaria Brown; two aunts, Virginia Robinson Taylor and Mildred Robinson Lewis; host of cousins, Jean Pace, Richard Franklin, Rosa Elaine Fox, Barbara Jean Burgess, Poindexter Lewis (Patricia), Demone Lewis, Philisean Wilkerson, Gonzales Wilkerson, Deneen Hunter, Kawana Harding (Gerald), numerous daughters from another mother, loving relatives and caring friends. They say there is a reason They say that time will heal, But neither time nor reason Can change the way we feel. For no one knows the heartache that lies behind our smiles. No one knows how many times we have broken down and cried. Barbara/Mom . . . We want to tell you something so there is absolutely no doubt, You are so wonderful to think of and so hard to live without. We wish we could bring the old days back, when we were all together. Our family chain is broken now, but our memories will live forever. We will always love you! Teddy and Family

Tributes

Barbara Ann Pitts

April 22, 1937 - July 22, 2016