He was born in Laurens County, a son of the late James and Ophelia Tollison Pitts. He was retired from Riegel Textile Corp. and was a farmer. He was a member of Union Baptist Church, Ware Shoals Lodge #306 A.F.M. and Hejaz Shrine Temple.

Surviving is his wife of 78 years, two sons, Donnie Pitts and wife Anne, of Ackworth, Ga., Jerry Pitts and wife Angie of Laurens: two daughters, Brenda Mattison of Greenville and Connie Weisner and husband Rhett of Greenville, four grandchildren, Michael Shane Mattison, Staci Weisner Sawtelle, Ben Pitts, Caitlin Pitts Kanopka and one great grandchild, Noah Sawtelle

He was predeceased by one brother, Clifton Pitts, and three sisters, Sarah Tuck, Ruby Culbertson and Jessie Henderson.

Funeral services will be held at 11 A.M. Thursday at Parker-White Funeral Home Chapel with Rev. Chris Garrison officiating. The family will receive friends after the service at the funeral home. In Lieu of flowers memorials may be made to the Gym Fund, Union Baptist Church, 636 Old Quaker Church Road, Laurens, SC 29360. Buial will be private. Online condolences may be made at www.ParkerWhitePruitt.com