Theodore Pitts

Theodore "Teddy" Pitts, of Brooklyn, New York, passed away on Saturday, May 4, 2019. He was born to the late John Henry Pitts and Anna Hilliard Pitts on June 22, 1936. At his death, he was 82 years of age. Theodore attended Eastman High School in Enfield, NC, before leaving the state in 1953 to pursue his dream of playing baseball with the Negro Baseball League. When his opportunities to play professional baseball became less and less likely, at the age of nineteen, Teddy was encouraged to move to New York with his sister Magggie Mae. Three pivotal moments occurred that helped shaped his life. One, he found his career; two, he continued with his love for playing baseball; and three, he met the love of his life. After bouncing around, working odd jobs, Teddy put his talents to work at the Larston Processing Company, where he became a skilled craftsman in printing. His dedication and work ethic was noticed by his boss, which landed him the opportunity to work on company projects within Larston for major businesses such as Coca-Cola, Kodak, and IBM. What is more, Teddy was selected as the shop steward for all of the skilled and licensed print operators within Larston. He held that position for fifteen years before retiring in the mid-nineties. However, not long afterward, Teddy was asked to come back to Larston to help new employees understand the importance of Baseball remained Teddy's passion and delight. From Spring Training in April to the World Series in October, he had a fiery love-hate relationship with those New York Mets. If they won, it was all good with the world, if they lost, everyone would feel the effects. He loved his New York Mets, some would argue before his family and friends. If he wasn't trying to get a ticket to a Mets game, then he could be found lying on his couch listening to them on his transistor radio. Those who know Teddy, know that he LOVED a good party with family and friends. He was no stranger on the dance floor. The significance of that is that he met the woman, Barbara Ann Butler, that he would ultimately marry on August 25, 1962. For more than 55 years, she was the apple of his eye, and from that union was spawned two precious daughters: Barbara and Robin. Teddy was preceded in death by the love of his life, his dear wife, Barbara Ann Pitts; his parents, Joe and Anna; three brothers, Clifton Sr., Jasper Sr., and Billy-Ray; and three sisters, Maggie Mae, Katie and Hazel. He is survived by his two daughters, Barbara Dean Freeman (Dexter) and Robin Ruth Pitts; granddaughter, Alysha Kamaria Brown; two sisters, Mabel Lee Daniel and Sharon Pitts McDonald; numerous "daughters from another father", a host of nieces, nephews and many loving relatives and friends. He had a very close and special bond with niece Pamela Stallings; as well as his best friend Roosevelt Mcrae.

Tributes

Theodore Pitts

June 22, 1936 - May 4, 2019