Emory William Pitts

Emory William Pitts, age 90, of Fletcher, NC passed away on Sunday, November 19, 2023. Emory was born in St. Petersburg, FL on March 5, 1933, to the late Eros and Luellen Crow Pitts. The family moved to Biltmore, NC in 1934, where Emory celebrated his 1st birthday. He graduated from Lee Edwards High School in 1951 and graduated from NC State University in 1955 with an Industrial Engineering degree. Emory retired in 1991 after 36 years from America Enka, BASF, as the Personnel Manager in Human Resources.

Emory also honorably served his country for 28 years in the US Army Reserves, Corp of Engineers, where he retired as a Lieutenant Colonel. While in the Army Reserve he graduated from the Command and General Staff College in April 1978.

Emory's passion was the NC State Wolfpack. He served on the NC State Alumni Association Board for 8 years and on the Student Aid Association Board (also known as The Wolfpack Club) for 11 years. Emory was The Wolfpack Club representative for WNC for over 50 years. He was a Life Member of the Wolfpack Club and was recognized for his contributions to NC State as a three time recipient of the J. B. Abernathy Award. For a lifetime of dedication to The NC State Wolfpack Club, Emory received the Shavlik Award in 2015.

In addition to his parents, Emory was preceded in death by his first wife and the mother of his children, Jean Maxwell Pitts.

Emory is survived by his loving wife of 35 years, Mary Jones Pitts; brother, Tommy Pitts; sister, Shirley Pitts Kidd; his sons, Mike Pitts (Penny) and Dan Pitts; grandsons, Bryce and Ian Pitts; her children, Ivan Dickson (Amy) and Joanie Dickson; her grandchildren, Cody Dickson (Courtney) and Brianna Dickson; 2 great-granddaughters, Lakelyn Faye Burgess and Kairi Rose Dickson; and several nieces and nephews.

A Celebration of Life Service will be held at 2:00 pm on Monday, November 27, in the chapel of First Baptist Church in Asheville where Emory was a member for 52 years. He served there as a deacon, a member of the Finance Committee, a greeter and also served in charitable activities here, near and far. It is also the place where he met his wife, Mary, "square dancing in the basement." The service will be officiated by the Rev. Lynette James Sills.

Memorial contributions may be mailed to First Baptist Church Food Pantry Ministry at https://fbca.net/online-giving/ or at 5 Oak Street, Asheville, NC 28801.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.garrettfuneralsandcremations.com for the Pitts family.