Bobby Ray Pitts

Bobby was born in Granite Falls, NC on March 28, 1933. He was the first child of J.D. and Mary Yount Pitts and minutes after he was born his twin arrived. He attended Mountain View School in Hickory, NC. He enlisted in the Army and was a proud Korean War veteran. He served in the 7th Division from 1952-1953 and received the Purple Heart, being injured from enemy fire, and The Bronze Star with V designation for combat gallantry. Following his discharge from the Army in 1955, he and a few of his close friends moved to Baltimore. He met his wife Norma “Jean” Heffler in 1958 and they married in 1960 at Inverness Presbyterian Church in Dundalk. They lived in Dundalk until 1993 when they moved to Abingdon. In November 2020, they celebrated 60 years of marriage. He was trained as a pest exterminator and continued to have a few close customers until his death. He also worked for People’s Life Insurance and retired from Bethlehem Steel in January 1997, after 30 years of service. Bob was a Master Mason and was a 45-year member of Patapsco Lodge #183.

He was preceded in death by his brothers David (September 2020), Mack (September 2018), Carl and William, and sister Peggy as well as his parents J.D. and Mary Pitts.

Bob is survived by his wife Jean of 60 years, and his children Donna of Bel Air, and Michael and wife Laura of Abingdon; his grandchildren Zane and Ally Elliott of Bel Air and Dakota Pitts of Abingdon-they were his pride and joy! Additionally, he is survived by his twin sister Stella Stephens of Hickory, NC, his brothers Jerry and Dean, also of Hickory, NC, his aunt Lois Stine of Hickory, NC and many beloved nieces and nephews and lifelong friends.

Relatives and friends are invited to gather at Schimunek Funeral Home of Bel Air on Friday from 3-5 and 7-9 pm, and on Saturday from 10- 11 am, where a funeral service will begin at 11 am. Interment Gardens of Faith Memorial Gardens.