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Verretta Jean Pittman




Verretta Jean Pittman

Verretta Jean Pittman

Verretta Jean Pittman, age 98, of Murfreesboro, TN, died Wednesday May 23, 2018, and is now at peace.

She was born in Archy, Arkansas, one of four children to follow from the union of William and Bertha Patton Baker.

 

Jean graduated from Rocky High School, where she played basketball and excelled in her education. After arriving in Murfreesboro,Tennessee, she attended Middle Tennessee State University, first earning a Bachelor’s degree, followed immediately by a Master’s degree and an Educational Specialist degree. She worked as an elementary school teacher and librarian in Metro Nashville Public Schools.

 

Jean married James Pittman, a member of the United States Air Force, and with him, she learned to move her family in a moment’s notice. She, James, and their daughter Sharon would live in Florida, Georgia, and Tennessee during James’s service. Always an independent spirit, she managed a household, her own education and career, and raised their daughter during her husband’s periods of deployment.

 

Along the way, she formed lifelong friendships and maintained ties to her family. Countless letters, greeting cards, and phone calls would connect her to her loved ones over the years. Her Christian faith and involvement with her church led to a life of Christian service and fellowship. She has been a member of First Baptist Church for many years.

 

Following her retirement, Jean remained active in her church and continued to travel the world. She visited countries around the world and would return with rolls of film to develop, stacks of postcards, and gifts for her grandchildren. She visited all the continents excepting Asia and Australia, which she determined required too much time in an airplane.

 

Jean loved to read, be it a magazine, newspaper, or novel. She did her part to keep Readers Digest in business over the years. She loved college basketball, especially women’s basketball and would attend MTSU college games religiously over the years. Much to the anxiety of her family, Jean kept a succession of Pomeranians, but despite their constant circling of her feet, she managed to stay upright and enjoyed their company over the years.

 

She is preceded in death by her husband James, her daughter Karen, her brothers Dale and Byron Baker, her sister Vernoise Andrews, and her great-granddaughter Summar Nixon. She is survived by her daughter Sharon (Carl David) Summar, her grandchildren Karen (Phil) Nixon and David (Sarah) Summar, her great-grandchildren Seth, Taylor, Madison, and Roland. She loved her family profoundly, and while they mourn her loss, they take solace that she is in a better place.

 

Funeral service will be 1 p.m. Tuesday, May 29, 2018, at Woodfin Memorial Chapel with Rev. Pam Pilote officiating. Burial will follow in Roselawn Memorial Gardens with Seth, Taylor, and Phil Nixon, David Summar, Geoff Smith, and Glenn Byron Baker serving as pallbearers. Visitation will be held Tuesday from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. two hours before the service.

 

Her family expresses their gratitude for the many people who made Jean part of their life, who returned her letters and greeting cards, who visited her in periods of illness, and who brightened her days. Many will remember her generosity of spirit and easy smile, if not her sharp wit, devout religious faith, or solid independence. She lived life well and that inspires those who knew her to do the same. Memorials may be made to the First Baptist Church, or the charity of one’s choice in memory of Jean.

 

An online guestbook for the Pittman family is available at www.woodfinchapel,com.

Woodfin Memorial Chapel. 615-893-5151.

 

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