Susan Elizabeth Pittman
April 4, 1953 ~ February 16, 2017
Signature Sympathy Cards
RALEIGH - Susan Elizabeth Pittman, age 63, passed away peacefully on Thursday, February 16, 2017, from breast cancer. Born in Nash County, NC on April 4, 1953, she was the daughter of the late Kenneth Worth Pittman and Elizabeth Coleman Pittman. She was also preceded in death by her sister, Anne Pittman Hardison.
She attended Peace College and graduated from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. She was an elementary school teacher before attending North Carolina State University for a masters degree in counseling. Susan was associated with Lynn Road Elementary and Wiley Elementary Schools in Wake County. In addition, she was a reading specialist for the Department of Public Instruction before retirement. In later years, she enjoyed substitute teaching at Lacy Elementary and Daniels Middle Schools and teaching summer school and tutoring at Trilogy School.
Susan gave her time and energy to various volunteer organizations through the years. She was a Stephen Minister at White Memorial Presbyterian Church, and a docent at the Governors Mansion. A Master Gardener, she loved working outdoors, watching her flowers blossom, and spying on fledgling bluebirds in her backyard. She could often be seen taking her beloved dog Gretel for walks around the neighborhood.
Susan was always in the middle of a good book and enjoyed keeping up with her book club. She also loved to travel, and found joy in planning and learning about the places she visited. She was able to enjoy all these activities up until her health rapidly declined. She never gave up her fight and will be remembered by her family for her thoughtfulness, affection, and spirit.
Susan leaves behind to cherish her memory, sister, Melissa Pittman Smyth and husband, Theodore Blackburn Smyth, of Raleigh; four nieces, Susan Hardison Thomsen and husband, Ryan; Elizabeth Smyth Bramley and husband, Timothy; Anne Rogers Smyth and fianc, Reed Staub; and Margaret Blackburn Smyth; nephew, Andrew Worth Hardison and wife, Ashley; and brother-in-law, Richard Everett Hardison.
The family will have a private graveside service in Rocky Mount. A memorial service to celebrate Susans life will be held Tuesday, February 21, 2017, at 2:00 PM at White Memorial Presbyterian Church, 1704 Oberlin Road, Raleigh, NC 27608. There will be a visitation at the home of Melissa and Ted Smyth on Sunday, February 19, 2017, from 4:00 PM to 6:00 PM.
In lieu of flowers, please consider a gift to the Stephen Ministry Program at White Memorial Presbyterian Church or the NC Botanical Garden at the University of North Carolina, Campus Box 3375, Chapel Hill, NC 27599.
Arrangements entrusted to Wheeler and Woodlief Funeral Home Cremation Services, 1130 N. Winstead Avenue, Rocky Mount, NC 27804. You may share memories and condolences with the family by visiting www.wheelerwoodlief.com.
Memorial
Location Not Available
Tuesday 2/21, 2:00 pm
View current weather.
Memories Timeline
Guestbook
Sign the Guestbook, Light a Candle
Please accept our deepest condolences for your family’s loss.
Hi Melissa- Ginger called me yesterday and told me about Susan. I am so sorry for your loss. Please know you and your family are in my thoughts and prayers Take care Anne
Lit a candle in memory of Susan Elizabeth Pittman
Melissa, I am so sorry to hear about Susan. I cannot imagine how difficult this is for you. As one of 3 sisters, as you are, this is so heartbreaking. I will be thinking of you often. Love, Kathryn
Melissa, I think of you often and was so very sorry to hear about Susan. I wish you and your family peace in the days ahead. Susan Snow McIver
When my father died she sent me the sweetest email. I grew up in the same neighborhood with the Pittmans. Riding with them to school. Smelling breakfast cooking. What a delightful family. So sorry . Prayers go to the family.
I met Susan while we both worked at NCDPI. She was always so kind, pleasant and caring. I traveled from out of town to my job in Raleigh and she graciously opened her home and I would welcomed me to stay with her on occasion. I have the fondest memories of being with her; enjoying a nice dinner and special conversation! She touched the lives of many young people throughout her career. My condolences to her family. Pat Calfee Washington, NC
Susan and I worked together for many years at DPI. She always had a smile and a kind word for everyone. May your memories overshadow the sadness. She made a lasting impression on COUNTLESS children during her tenure as an educator, she will be missed! Susan Skinner Frazier
As a teenage boy, the three Pittman Girls (cousins to my long-time friend David) were always gracious. I remember Susan as being especially so. Now having three adult daughters myself, I see similarities in birth-order personalities that are unmistakable. What a sweet person she was – my condolences to those left behind with a hole in their life.
Susan was suchasweetheart at Steve’s class reunion this past October. I could not have felt more welcome to their reunion as a spouse from another town.God comfort you at this time and know that He has a special Angel. Steve remembers her living on Tarboro St, his stomping grounds. Our sympathies are with you and yours. Susan truely was a gift to the world.
Susan was our beloved friend and neighbor for 20 years. She was beautiful, kind, independent, brave and generous. Her delight in seeing a flower or a baby blue bird or walking her beloved dogs are memories I will treasure. Her loss to our neighborhood family is irreplaceable. We all send love, prayers and gratitude for her life and our blessing in having known her.
I worked with Susan at a Lynn Road Elementary. She was always so upbeat, helpful, funny, a great teammate. My thoughts and prayers go out to her family.
I want to send my deepest sympathy to the family of Susan Elizabeth Pittman The bible tells us we can gain comfort from God, even during times of sorrow. We pray to our heavenly father for help to cope with the sorrow felt from the death of a loved one. By prayer and supplication along with thanksgiving, let your petitions be made known to God; and the peace of God that surpasses all understanding will guard your hearts and your mental powers by means of Christ Jesus. Philippians 46 May you find comfort by relying on our heavenly father and learning more about the blessings of God’s kingdom. Local ministry volunteer
Susan came in to the Wake Master Gardener program a couple of years ago and was immediately engaged and appreciative of everyone she met in the program. She was a joy to have in the class, and it was wonderful to see her engage so wholeheartedly in the program. She will be missed by me and so many other Master Gardwners.
My husband and I had the great pleasure to meet Susan in the Fall of 2015 while on a trip to the Amalfi Coast with the UNC Alumi Travel group. We enjoyed getting to know Susan during that week. It was such a great trip and we dined together several times while on the trip. She was such a sweet person and always had a smile on her face. We exchanged stories of growing up down East. I grew up in Tarboro and my husband grew up in Enfield. We were so sad to learn of Susan’s passing. We will always remember Susan and what a great times we shared on our trip. Our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family during this difficult time.
I will always think of the 3 cute Pittman Sisters as one. I never heard you disagree. Anne was my dear friend and her illness and death are still hard to believe. Susan was always so sweet and cheerful….even as she battled breast cancer. Melissa….you embody all that and more. As painful as this is, I know you will find strength in the wonderful memories of your dear Sisters. My heartfelt sympathy to you and your family. With love, Jane (Morgan Snow) heart
I met Susan Susan in the late 1990’s while attending the Church of the Holy Cross. We became friends and I visited with her at her home from time to time. After this church moved to a new location, Susan began attending another church and I did not see her much. But several years ago I ran into her at a yard sale she was holding at her house. We had great fun talking and catching up! I will always remember Susan as a Christian who lived her Christianity in her daily life. She was always so kind to me. I am saddened that she is no longer with us but also know she has made that transition to be with her heavenly Father. I am grateful that our paths crossed in life. I will remember Susan as one who always brightened the lives of others when she was in their presence. Nancy Lowe
Life is a miracle and it is amazing to have had that gift of knowing and cherishing our loved one. I hope you are able to find strength and peace during this time of loss. Please, throw your burden on to God because he cares for us and will carry you through this loss – I Peter 5 7. How to handle grief See the booklet When Someone You Love Dies
I knew Susan while we were students at Peace College. She had the sweetest and kindest heart. My prayers go out to her family.
Lit a candle in memory of Susan Elizabeth Pittman
I want to extend my sympathy to Susan’s family. I knew her during our LiveStrong classes at the YMCA this past fall. She was such a lovely person with a beautiful spirit. I enjoyed our conversations so much. I’ll be praying for God’s comfort and peace for you during this time.
Susan and I were classmates through high school. She was always the same friendly, sweet, bubbly person right up to our recent class reunion in October! I had no idea she was sick. So saddened by this. She was a gem. My sincerest condolences. Brenda Horton Aird
Dear Melissa, My heart and prayers are with you and your family. Susan was a lovely, fun, gentle soul who I will miss always. God bless you and your family. Sincerely, Angie Latham Crone
Heaven has literally gained an angel; never have I met a more gracious, kind hearted and gentle soul with the grace of the gentile South embodied in her. While it has been 30+ years since I last spoke with her, I still fondly remember her genuine smile and sincere manner. Way too soon for her to leave….