The Mississippi Delta and lands beyond lost the complex and endearing earthly presence of Thomas Mitchell Pitts II (Tom), of Indianola, on Thursday, Sept. 21, 2023. Tom had a rare and brief illness that caused his sudden death, leaving behind his and his former wife, Kay Pitts’, son, Thomas Pitts of Huntsville, Ala.
Tom, the son of Willie Mitchell and Mary Mack Coursey Pitts, was born in 1957, beginning the fourth generation of the Pitts family in Indianola. Tom’s grandfather, T. M. Pitts, served Indianola as its mayor for many years. Tom was quite proud of his Delta heritage, the land his family farmed, and the contributions to Sunflower County made by generations of his family. Tom had the opportunity of serving as president of Indianola Chamber of Commerce.
Tom attended Lockard Elementary School and then experienced nine illustrious years at Indianola Academy before graduating in 1975. During his teenage years he achieved the Eagle Scout Award representing the Delta at the International Boy Scout Jamboree in Japan in 1971. He obtained his private pilot’s license after graduating from Summer Aviation School at Culver Military Academy where he served as a squadron commander.
He continued his education at Mississippi State University where he graduated in 1979 with a business-agricultural degree preparing him for 43 years of agricultural work with Pitts Farms.
All who knew Tom appreciated his complexities and wide interests. He loved riding the paths of the farm, especially when Thomas was home, and they could be together. Tom loved music and attending concerts. He loved being with friends made through various organizations he was involved with, especially if they could gather at The Blue Biscuit! He loved painting and playing backgammon with his friend, Lee Paris, and having deep and often late-night calls with his many friends like Garner, Brian, Charles, Noel, and countless others he encouraged through many life challenges. He will be deeply missed by dear friends and the family he leaves, including his brothers, Walter and Will Pitts of Indianola and his sisters, Gay Galbreath (Joe) of Cordova, Tenn. and Mary Huffstetler (Jim) of Macon, Ga., as well as his nieces and nephews.
A service of celebration and remembrance of Tom’s life was held on Sunday afternoon, Sept. 24, with visitation from 1 p.m. until the 2 p.m. funeral service at First Methodist Church in Indianola. A private family burial followed. Tom loved his savior, Jesus Christ, who has welcomed Tom into His arms in the lands of eternity.
Burton Funeral Home of Indianola was entrusted with arrangements.
Memorials may be made to Delta Missions, P. O. Box 692, Indianola, MS 38751.
