Ethel Pittman Harris

ROCKY MOUNT – Ethel Pittman Harris, age 91 ½, went home to be with her Lord and Savior on Wednesday, August 23, 2023. Born in Nash County, NC on December 5, 1931, she was the daughter of the late William Pittman and Josephine Lancaster Pittman. She was also preceded in death by her husband of 41 years, Melvin Harris; and her ten siblings, Estelle Eason (Henry), Pearl Pittman (age 2), Dillie Pittman (Jacob), Louise Eason (Harry), Alice Dickens (Allen), William Pittman (Farbie), Eula Worrell (Rufus), Leslie Pittman (Edith), infant male child, and Robert Pittman. A devoted Christian, one of God’s servants for others, a loving mother and beloved Granny to the family and many others. She attended the Barnes Hill Free Will Baptist Church beginning in pre-teen years until failing health prevented her from going to the services. Now God has taken her to His heavenly home to be with Him forever. Ethel was caretaker for her husband in his later years. Then her sister, Dillie, for many years as well as her sister, Alice, and nephew, Harold Pittman, whom she treated as her son and he loved her as his mother. Ethel was a lady of many skills, got her first job at age 17 with Rocky Mount Mills where she worked for 23 years. She worked many other places such as Abbotts and Rocky Mount Undergarment. After retiring, she was the babysitter for her great-grandson, David, as well as for neighborhood children after school and then Grace Jordan whom she loved as a granddaughter and Dylan Sauls. A truly dedicated servant of God she gave Him all the credit for the strength to work in His service. She enjoyed serving God by serving others. She prepared the yearly Pittman family reunion until her health would no longer allow. She passed that along to her niece, Myrtle. Ethel will be remembered for her famous seven-layer chocolate cake, when she was no longer able to make herself she supervised Kristie as she did the work and continued to make cakes for Barnes Hill Free Will Baptist Church functions, family and friends. She was looking forward to seeing her Daddy and maybe sit on his knee and give him a hug. Ethel was only 16 months old when he passed away. Although she will be truly missed, we know she is with the Lord and can dance in the clouds, pain free!!! Ethel left many loved ones here including her daughter, Pam Whitley and husband, Kenneth; her granddaughter, Kristie Howell (Mike), Kylar Whitley (Josh), Kris Whitley (Amanda), and Keith Whitley; her great-grandchildren, David Parker (Anna), Aron Parker (Jessica), Katelynn, Kayleigh, Corey, Jacob, Andrew, and Julia, her great great-granddaughter, Valerie Layne; her sister, Bertha Boswell; her two special nieces, Myrtle Winstead and Nancy Eason; as well as many other nieces and nephews. A Funeral Service to celebrate Ethel’s life will be held on Thursday, August 31, 2023, at 2:30 PM in the Chapel of Wheeler & Woodlief Funeral Home & Cremation Services with John Manning officiating. Burial will follow the service at Rocky Mount Memorial Park. Visitation with the family will be from 1:00 PM to 2:00 PM prior to the service in the Atrium of Wheeler & Woodlief Funeral Home. The family would like to say a special thanks to the 5th floor at Nash UNC Health Care and Dr. Bello and Maria Helm for all their compassion and medical knowledge. Arrangements entrusted to Wheeler & 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.