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Funeral services for James W. “J.W.” Pitts, 79 of Cordele, will be held at 2:00 p.m. Monday, June 1, 2020 in the chapel of Rainey Family Funeral Services. Burial will follow in Sunnyside Cemetery. The family will receive friends prior to the service beginning at 1:00 p.m. J.W.  passed away Friday, May 29, 2020 at Crisp Regional Hospital.  Born in Cordele, he was the son of the late Andrew Watson Pitts and Ella Pate Pitts. He was also preceded in death by a brother, Charles Douglas Pitts. J.W. is survived by his wife of 61 years, Vickie Oliver Pitts of Cordele; his children, a son and his wife, Keith and Kathy Pitts of Nashville and a daughter and her husband, Regina and Jeff Park of Sandy Springs; a brother and his wife, Ronnie and Dian Pitts of Zebulon; four grandchildren, Joe Riddle, Daniel Riddle and his wife, Toni Leigh, all of Tifton, Kyle Pitts and his wife, Samantha of Hahira and Kaleigh Pitts (Jeffrey Vanlandingham), one great-grandchild, Hudson James Pitts of Hahira; and his ever-faithful and loving companion, his Lab Oliver. J.W. was a loving and devoted family man, a devout Christian, and was a faithful and active member of Third Street Baptist Church.

As the manager of BC Moore’s with a dedication of 46 years, he was not only a welcomed sight to customers, but also took great pride in the well-being, discipline and success of his loyal employees. J.W. served as the President of the Chamber of Commerce in Nashville, Ga, among other City Council appointments. With this enthusiasm for community development, one of his greatest achievements was his key role in the creation of the Berrien County Recreation Dept. One of his favorite passions was fishing, as he was very much involved in the Lake Blackshear and surrounding fishing communities and a tournament fisherman himself. He was also a past member of the Dixie Bass Club. One of his favorite pastimes with his family was boating, skiing and tubing with the grandchildren. He served for many years as a volunteer of the S.A.M. Shortline where he imposed his fun-loving and unique personality on the history of South Georgia to locals and tourists alike. He was an active member of Cordelia Lodge #296 F&AM in Cordele. Memorials to Third Street Baptist Church, P.O. Box 1214, Cordele, GA 31010-1214 would please the family. Arrangements are by Rainey Family Funeral Services. An online guest register is available at www.raineyfuneral.com