Albert Pitts

Albert Pitts Jr., 90, of Northport, passed away peacefully. Albert ("Pop" to his grandchildren and great- grandchildren) was preceded in death by his beloved wife of 63 years Virginia Greer Pitts, his mother and father Jim and Minnie Pitts of Marion, Ala., sisters, Minnie Hall of Greensboro, Ala., Ruby Gossett Hickey of Griffin, Ga. and Annie Hawkins of Montgomery, Ala.; and brother, Higley Pitts of Marion, Ala. He is survived by his sister, Irma Parr of Demopolis, Ala. and three sons, Jim (Debra) Pitts of Clanton, Ala., Dan (Debby) Pitts of Lexington, S.C. and Roe Pitts of Atlanta, Ga. He is also survived by four grandchildren, Anna (Drew) Wright of Collinsville, Ala., John Pitts of Clanton, Ala., Rossie (Justin) Koon of Lexington, S.C. and Daniel (Sarah) Pitts of Atlanta, Ga.; along with four great-grandchildren Shelby and Abigail Wright, Caleb and Joshua Koon. Born in Marion, Ala., Albert graduated from Perry County High School, Marion Military Academy and Auburn University with BS and MS degrees in Agricultural Science. He served in the US Army with the occupation forces in Japan during World War II. Albert was employed by Auburn University Cooperative Extension Service in 1952 as Assistant County Extension Agent in Jefferson County, later serving in Chilton County. In 1958, he was appointed County Agent Coordinator in Fayette County and in 1970 was appointed County Agent Coordinator in Tuscaloosa County where he retired in 1983. Following retirement, he worked with Bean Forestry Group in timber tract procurement and management. Albert was past President of the Alabama Association of County Agricultural Agents and the Kiwanis Club of Tuscaloosa. He helped organize the Tuscaloosa County Industrial Development Authority where he served as an officer. Albert also served on the Northport Industrial Development Board. He was a Board member of the American Red Cross, Focus on Senior Citizens, and The Planning and Development Council of West Alabama. Albert was a devoted husband and father, and enjoyed and loved his family. He enjoyed traveling extensively, gardening, and Auburn Sports. Albert was a man of extraordinary faith and prayer. He was an active member of Northport Baptist Church where he served as Deacon, Trustee, Sunday School Director, teacher, and many committees and member of the Friendship Sunday Class. Pallbearers will be Daniel Pitts, Drew Wright, Justin Koon, Glen Crow, Chuck Schmidt, Wayne Ford and Wilford Calhoun. Visitation will be on Tuesday, November 21, 2017, from 1:00 to 2:00 pm at Northport Baptist Church with Rev. John Jenkins leading a Service of Celebration of Life and Resurrection at 2:00 pm. Interment will follow at Tuscaloosa Memorial Park. Magnolia Chapel North will be directing services. In lieu of flowers, the family requests those interested to consider a donation in Albert's memory to: Northport Baptist Church Building Fund, 1004 Main Ave. Northport, AL 35463.