Betty Ann Blackburn Pitts, 96, of Oakland, California - devoted wife, mother and grandmother - departed this life on July 8, 2024. Born on December 5, 1927, in Dayton, Ohio, to Otto and Ethel (Cooper) Blackburn, Betty spent her first 85 years in Dayton, where she was a life-long member of Zion Baptist Church. She was valedictorian of her class at Dunbar High School and graduated magna cum laude from Central State University. Betty taught kindergarten for many years and later became a curriculum consultant for the Dayton Public Schools, from which she retired in 1992. Betty worked tirelessly in community service as both a member of and a leader in several organizations, including: Top Ladies of Distinction, Inc., the Dayton Opera Guild, the Dayton Philharmonic and the National Council of Negro Women. She was also a 75 year member of the Delta Sigma Theta sorority. Betty was preceded in death by her husband of 59 years, Frederick D. Pitts, Sr., of Oakland, and by her eight siblings. She is survived by her son Dr. Frederick D. Pitts, Jr., and daughter-in-law, Kelly Rinehart Pitts of San Francisco; her son Mark D. Pitts, daughter-in-law Andreana Dereniak and grandchildren, Adam and Catherine Pitts, of Oakland; and a host of cherished nieces and nephews. In lieu of flowers, please give generously to those in need, just as Betty did.
