Jeanne B. Pitts

JEANNE BRANFORD PITTS, affectionately known as Evangelist Pitts and Mother Pitts, daughter of the late Reverend James Edward Branford and the late Edna Mae Smith Branford, was born on August 26, 1933. After an incredible Christian journey, Evangelist (Mother) Pitts peacefully departed this life on Sunday, February 7, 2021 at 10:35 in the morning. Evangelist Pitts attended Baltimore City Public Schools and was a graduate of the historic Douglass High School. She also attended Morgan State University. She later married the late Charles G. Byrd, Sr., and as a result of that union, they had four children: Cheryl A. Byrd, Bonita J. Byrd Cox, Charles G. Byrd, Jr. and Bradford A. Byrd. Jeanne gave her life to Christ at an early age. As a single mother in the 1960s, her devotion and service to the Lord soared. She joined Christ United Methodist Church in Edmondson Village where she taught Sunday School, sang in the choir, and played the piano during worship services. Thereafter, Jeanne became a member of the First United Church of Jesus Christ Apostolic (First United) under the leadership of Bishop Monroe Saunders, where she again taught Sunday School, sang in the choir, and served in several other capacities. While at First United, she met the late Elder Alton R. Pitts. After ensuring that he had given his life to Christ, they were joined in holy matrimony on October 22, 1977, at First United. Evangelist Jeanne Pitts became acquainted with the Victory Prayer Chapel Ministry in the early 1970’s. She often visited the weekly Prayer Band which the late Overseer Ruth Cummings held in the basement of her home. When the Lord led Overseer Cummings to establish a church, Evangelist Pitts continued to visit and to fellowship with the saints. In 1980, Elder and Evangelist Pitts became members of Victory Prayer Chapel, under the leadership of Overseer Cummings and Pastor Katherine Sykes. Under the leadership of Overseer Cummings, Evangelist Pitts was called and sent to minister the Word of the Lord. She was ordained as an evangelist and remained faithful to her calling until her health began to fail. As a member of Victory Prayer Chapel, Evangelist Pitts was the Lead Usher, a member of the Prison Ministry, the Nursing Home Ministry and the Evangelistic Team. Evangelist Pitts took every opportunity presented to her to work for the Lord and was dedicated to winning souls. She was faithful in all that the Lord instructed her to do. Evangelist Pitts remained a member of the Victory Prayer Ministry for well over 40 years. She will be sorely missed by her church family. As a professional, Jeanne began her career at the Social Security Administration (Woodlawn), and later became a social worker at the Maryland State Department of Social Services (Baltimore City). As a social worker, Jeanne went well beyond her assigned duties in assisting clients. Although she was by no means wealthy, she frequently gave of her own resources financially and spiritually. She frequently (almost always) witnessed to her clients and led them to the Lord. Jeanne retired from the Department of Social Services in 1988. Thereafter, she devoted the balance of her life to her family and her church, serving the Lord by developing disciples and winning souls to Christ. Evangelist Pitts is preceded in death by her husband, Elder Alton R. Pitts; daughter, Bonita J. Byrd Cox; great-grandson, Garrett Cox, Jr.; and sister, Bernice Branford Lewis. To continue the legacy and cherish her memory, she leaves behind one daughter, Cheryl A. Byrd; two sons, Charles G. Byrd Jr. (Danielle) and Bradford A. Byrd; one sister, Brenda Pitts Haynes (Robert); eight grandchildren, Linda Byrd, Charles G. Byrd, III, Gary Cox, Jr. (Tenille), Carl B. Byrd, Garrett Cox, Sr., Jeana Cox, Lauren S. Byrd, and Evan C. Byrd; five great-grandchildren; many cousins, god-children, and her Victory Prayer Chapel Family.

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Jeanne B. Pitts

August 26, 1933 - February 7, 2021