Charles Booth Pitts

He was born March 10, 1938 to Sara Benson Booth Pitts and Lt. Col. Harvey Curtis Pitts, Sr. in Montgomery, Alabama. Charles proudly graduated with a degree in Industrial Engineering from Alabama Polytechnic Institute in 1959, the year before the Institute changed its name to Auburn University. Upon graduation, he moved to Greenville, SC to accept a position with J.P. Stevens in the textile industry. He quickly returned to Alabama to elope with his beloved Cynthia and return to Greenville where they would start their family and make Greenville their forever home.

Charles grew up in the towns of Elmore, Wetumpka, and Pittsview Alabama, as well as Norfolk, Virginia and Charleston, South Carolina. Fond memories of these places, along with the antics of Charles and his brothers and sister, provided his family with many years of “Little Charles” stories. These were colorful and entertaining tales, as many dragons were slayed, and girls’ hearts broken. Charles was known for his quick wit and dry sense of humor which he developed early in life and made for countless laughs over the years.

Charles enjoyed a successful career with J.P Stevens for 27 years before opening his own recruiting firm for engineers. He was recognized for his many years of service to the Association of Textile Industrial Engineers and the South Carolina Staffing Association. In retirement, he enjoyed leading and coordinating the monthly alumni lunches for his former colleagues from J.P. Stevens in Greenville.

Charles was cherished as a devoted father and grandfather. You could find him supporting his daughters, grandchildren, and great-granddaughter with his presence at every opportunity. Swim meets, gymnastics meets, piano recitals, concerts, football games, and other activities too numerous to mention found him cheering with pride, ready to celebrate or comfort, whichever the moment called for.

Charles enjoyed the outdoors. He grew up with a love for hunting and fishing wherever he lived and as a retiree excelled in clay shooting competitions at the Belton Gun Club. He was a talented and generous gardener. Many neighbors and friends enjoyed the large bounty of vegetables and tomatoes that he shared every year. He was also known for his grilling expertise. Charles especially loved welcoming his daughters’ many friends for tailgates at Clemson while enjoying the special game-day experience. Over many decades, if Charles was grilling his famous ribs, it wasn’t hard to gather a big crowd for him to serve!

Charles is survived by his two daughters, Sheryl Mayberry and Amy Botkin (Alan); and his grandchildren, Caroline Huang (Andrew), Sloane Mayberry, Miles Mayberry, and Andy Botkin; and his great grandchildren, Charlie Stephens and Teddy Huang. He is also survived by his sister, Belle Lee (Gentry) and brother, Joe Pitts. Charles was preceded in death by his wife of 59 years, Cynthia Pitts, who died in 2019 and his brother Lt. Col Harvey Curtis Pitts, Jr. Ed. D in 2010.

A private family service celebrating Charles’ life will take place on Saturday, January 20.

Charles’s family would like to thank the many caregivers at The Woodlands at Furman for their devoted attention and care.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Inspire Courage campaign for transforming pediatric hematology and oncology care in our Greenville community, https://PrismaHealthUpstateGiving.org/InspireCourage or to the Clemson Foundation: Adaptive Sports and Recreational Therapy Excellence Fund at https://iamatiger.clemson.edu/giving