Lourene Evans Pitts

Mildred Lourene Evans Pitts,  83, of Crystal Springs, died Monday, February 22, 2010, at Hardy Wilson Memorial Hospital, Hazlehurst.

Visitation will be held on Tuesday, February 23, 10 – 11 a.m. at Stringer Family Funeral Home in Crystal Springs, with a graveside service following at 11 a.m. at the Gallman Cemetery. Stringer Family Funeral Services in Crystal Springs is handling arrangements.

Mrs. Pitts was born in Gallman on May 17, 1926, to Wauwice “Duck” Corley and John H. “Jack” Evans. As a child, she and her family relocated to her father’s birthplace in Dyer, TN. Eventually, the family returned to Gallman, where Lourene continued to reside, prior to entering Pine Crest Guest Home in Hazlehurst, in April of 2000.

In 1944, Lourene graduated from Gallman High School and attended Draughn’s Business College in Jackson. Upon completion of clerical training, she was employed by the State Welfare Department in Hazlehurst, and held the position of secretary to the director for several years before accepting employment at Copiah Bank (formerly the Bank of Hazlehurst). Lourene held the position of bank teller for many years in Hazlehurst, Gallman and Crystal Springs before retiring in 1993.

Lourene married her high school sweetheart, Eldon DeBerry “Deedy” Pitts, of Gallman on January 26, 1946, and they were blessed with two sons, Eldon and Steve. Their family were faithful members of Gallman Methodist Church, where Lourene served as church treasurer and pianist for over 50 years. She also served a city alderman for the Town of Gallman.

She was preceded in death by her father and mother, her husband, and her brother, Jack Evans of Warwick, Rhode Island.

Mrs. Pitts is survived by her sons, Eldon Pitts and wife, Bonnie, of Crystal Springs; Steve Pitts of Hazlehurst; a brother, Robert C. “Bobby” Evans of Gallman; and a granddaughter, Nicki Pitts Chandler and husband, Travis, of Brandon.