Mary W. Pitts

Mary Alma Williams Pitts was born in Ocala, Florida on August 9, 1914 to Walter and Arrie Williams. The fourth of seven Williams’s children, Mary grew up in a closely-knit family circle amidst hard-working parents and fun-loving siblings. Mary attended school at Howard Academy before pursuing her Home Economics studies at Florida A&M College (now Florida A&M University). She graduated in 1935, earned her Masters Degree from New York University and pursued further postgraduate studies at Cornell University.While studying at Florida A&M College, Mary met Nathan Alvin Pitts, of Macon, GA. They were married in 1940 and spent their early life together in Raleigh, NC. Where they were both on the faculty of Shaw University. The couple relocated to Baltimore and had one child, Mitra Anne. Mary and Nathan enjoyed 58 years of marital happiness until his death in 1998. Dr. Nathan Pitts Elementary School, in the Ashburton Community bears her husband’s name, because of his devotion to public education.Mary and her family remained active members of Baltimore’s educational, civic, and social life, aside from a five-year sojourn in Paris, France during the 1970’s. They were also active members of Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church.As an educator, Mary taught Home Economic for over ten years at Morgan State College (now Morgan State University). She also taught approximately another dozen years in the Baltimore City Public Schools. Her professional skills as a home economics teacher were manifested outside the classroom in the countless fashionable garments that she made for herself, her daughter and granddaughter, her sisters, nieces other relatives, and friends. Likewise, her culinary arts became legendary within her club circles and her family, which includes Baltimore’s Williams sisters. He membership in several of the city’s social and civic organizations included The Links. Inc., Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, The Baltimore Alpha Wives, Inc., The Drifters, Inc. and The Holidays. Mary was respected as a reliable and conscientious contributor to any undertaking in which she was involved.Mary Alma Williams Pitts-a devoted and caring woman-will be missed by all who knew and loved her. Left to cherish and share treasured memories of her roles in their lives are: her loving daughter, Mitra Pitts Rogers; granddaughter, Mackenzie Rogers; sister, Ruth Margaret Land; nieces, nephews, a grand-niece and a grand-nephew.

Tributes

Mary W. Pitts

August 9, 1914 - July 23, 2003