Edward Holland Pitts

LEXINGTON - Edward Holland Pitts of Lexington, 76, died unexpectedly on Thursday, November 6, 2014. Born on January 26, 1938, in Clinton, SC, he was the son of the late Pascal Mark and Esther Holland Pitts. Ed grew up in Clinton, SC, and graduated from Clinton High School in 1955. He was an all-around athlete, an All-State football player and selected for the SC-NC Shrine Bowl. He played tackle for the University of South Carolina (1956–59) and is still regarded as one of the Gamecock's finest linemen. He earned numerous honors, including All-ACC first team in 1958 and 1959, co-captain of the 1959 squad, was selected to the Paul Williamson All-American team, and served as co-captain of the North-South Shrine Game in Miami. He was a Sigma Chi and 1960 graduate of USC.

Upon graduation, he signed with the Boston Patriots, but suffered a pre-season knee injury that prematurely ended his career. Returning to his alma mater, he served as freshman football coach and head recruiter before being selected as the first full-time Director of the Gamecock Club, a position he held for 22 years. He was still a full-time employee of the University of South Carolina, receiving his 50 year Service Award earlier this year. He was inducted into the University of South Carolina Athletic Hall of Fame in 2002 and the South Carolina Athletic Hall of Fame in 2011.

Ed was an active supporter of Lexington youth athletic programs. He coached Dixie Youth baseball, Recreation basketball, Lexington High School freshman and Middle School “C” team football, and was a past president of the Lexington High School Athletic Booster Club and a former Chairman of the Dixie Youth Baseball Board of Directors. He was also a member of the USC Lettermen’s Association, Lexington Rotary Club, Friends of the Lexington Branch Library, Lexington Cotillion, Lexington United Methodist Church, and a board member of the Lexington County Gamecock Club.

On May 8, 1966, Ed married Marguerite Anne Digby of Greer, SC, and they were the parents of three children: Margaret Anne Gaffney (Pearse), Edward H. “Ted” Pitts, Jr. (Christina), and P. Walter Pitts (Leslie), all of Lexington.

In 1974, Ed and Anne opened Anne Pitts Child Development Center and he remained active in its daily operations. Through the Center, still operated by his family, he touched the lives of thousands of Lexington's children.

He is survived by his children; a brother, P. Mark Pitts (Monnie) of Aiken; a sister-in-law, Sue Pitts, of Virginia, eight grandchildren, Conor P. Gaffney, Anna K. Gaffney, Edward H. Pitts, III, Sara A. Pitts, Jack H. Pitts, Pascal W. Pitts, Jr., Hampton K. Pitts, and T. Copeland Pitts. He was predeceased by his parents, his wife, and a brother, Thomas G. Pitts.

Services will be held at 1:00 PM, Wednesday, November 12, at Mount Horeb United Methodist Church, 1205 Old Cherokee Road, Lexington. The family will receive friends at the graveside in Woodridge Memorial Park, 138 Corley Mill Road, Lexington. The family asks that in lieu of flowers, donations be made to: Anne Pitts Memorial Scholarship Fund, P.O. Box 2021, Lexington, SC 29071.

A loving husband and father, a devoted granddaddy, a gifted athlete and coach, a generous friend, and a loyal Gamecock, Ed will be greatly missed. Caughman-Harman Funeral Home, Lexington Chapel is assisting the family with arrangements.

www.caughmanharmanfuneralhome.net