Virginia Lee Fowler Pitts

Virginia Lee Fowler Pitts, 84, of Kernersville, NC passed away on Friday, June 24, 2022 after a long battle with Alzheimer’s disease. She was born in Charleston, SC on January 31, 1938, the first child of Virginia Hanlon Fowler and Leo Kennedy Fowler. She spent her first twelve years as an Army brat. The 37-month absence of her father during his South Pacific tour of duty in World War II while she was four to seven years old had a lasting imprint on her. His subsequent lengthy battle with heart disease forged in her a strength that served her well throughout her life. Virginia graduated from Bishop England High School in 1956. In 1959, she married her high-school sweetheart, Joseph Leroy Pitts, Jr. (Jack) and they were married happily for 63 years. Jack, a graduate of the Citadel, spent 20 years in the Army which included tours in Vietnam and Korea. During that time, Virginia was raising three toddlers and doing what military wives do, survive and thrive. In addition, Virginia was the consummate military wife entertaining generals and volunteering and participating in many Army-related events. She was even mentioned in one of Jack’s evaluations which was quite unusual and spoke highly of her involvement and commitment to their joint effort in service to our country. In later year’s, after military life, Virginia worked as a dental assistant and business manager in several doctors’ offices. She and Jack were long-time members of St. Francis of Assisi in Kettering, Ohio where she served on the bereavement committee as well as being a wedding coordinator there.

Virginia is survived by her husband, Jack; her sister, Norma Callen (Monte); her sister-in-law, Cheryl Clair (Billy); and her three children: Michael Kennedy Pitts (Jan); Kelly Pitts Duggan (James); and Sean Joseph Pitts (Sharon). In addition there are seven grandchildren: Erin Pitts Radosevich (Daniel), Matthew Ryan Pitts (Jordanne), Andrew Joseph Duggan (Jessica), Jamie Lee Duggan Brown (Keith), Gibson Emily Pitts, Joseph Hanlon Pitts, and William Harrison Pitts (Aubrey). She was blessed also with six great grandchildren: Jack James Duggan, Clark Joseph Duggan, Bruce Thomas Duggan, Alan Paul Duggan, Scarlett Olivia Radosevich, and Peyton Lee Brown.

The family wishes to express its heartfelt appreciation to the following friends who lovingly gave of their time caring for Virginia during her final days: Caren Jenkins and Dave Rogers, Nancy Himmel, and Linda Gingles. A very special thank you to all of the cousins, nieces and nephews, and friends who kept her and our family in their prayers. The family also wishes to thank Crystal Leadman of Hospice of the Piedmont for her expert care, support, guidance, and friendship.

Her Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 11:30 AM Friday, July 1, 2022 at St. Mary of the Annunciation Catholic Church, 95 Hasell Street, Charleston. The Rite of Committal will follow immediately at Holy Cross Cemetery, James Island. The family will receive friends between 5:00 and 7:00 PM, Thursday evening at the James A. McAlister Funeral Home, 1620 Savannah Highway, Charleston. The vigil service will begin at 6:30 PM

Memorials may be sent to the Alzheimer’s Association (https://www.alz.org).

Arrangements by James A. McAlister, Inc. (843) 766-1365.