Raymond Pittman

On Saturday, April 22, 2017, our gracious Heavenly Father called our loved one, Reverend Raymond Pittman, into eternal and everlasting rest. He was 85 years old. Reverend Pittman peacefully slipped away while surrounded by his wife of 62 years Dorothy L. (Floyd) Pittman and loving family members. He was born on November 14, 1931, in Fairmont, North Carolina to the late Lula and Baston Pittman. He was predeceased by his brothers Roosevelt Strickland, Bruce Pittman and Bailey Pittman and his sisters Lela Ratley and Margie Watson. Rev. Pittman married his high school sweetheart on June 1, 1954. He became the proud father over time of 5 daughters and 3 sons.
Rev. Pittman was a committed and dedicated father, grandfather, and great grandfather. He served in his community civic league and was Sunday School Superintendent at Bethel Baptist Church in Norfolk, Virginia prior to moving his family to the Jerusalem Baptist Church in 1970. During his earliest years, Reverend Pittman was a member of Pleasant Hill First Baptist Church, Fairmont, North Carolina, where at the age of 14, he attended the Men’s Bible Class. By age 16, he was teaching in that bible class. It was thru this experience that he developed a deep love and respect for the Word of God, and so would be his life long call. As Rev. Pittman matured into his early 20’s, he joined the United States Army. After 6 years of service and becoming an Army Sergeant, he received an honorable discharge and remained in the City of Norfolk until his passing.
Prior to his passing, Rev. Pittman was an Associate Minister, Sunday School Teacher, and an active member of the Male Chorus and the mid-week bible study class at Jerusalem Baptist Church, where he served faithfully for over 40 years. Reverend Pittman was a 1980 graduate of Norfolk State University with a B.A. degree in Social Science and Religion. He obtained this degree attending evening college classes 5 nights per week while working 5 days a week with Carolina Freight and Old Dominion Trucking Companies. Achieving this educational honor was second in significance only to his most esteemed honor the “call” to preach the Word of God. Rev. Pittman was licensed as a minister July 27, 1980 by the late Rev. Dr. Thomas M. Venable, past Pastor of Jerusalem Baptist church. In 1981, he was ordained to preach the Word of God by Minister Lillian Richardson of Tabernacle Holiness Church of Christ, Virginia Beach, Virginia. Immediately after graduation from NSU, Rev. Pittman was asked to take the position of Dorm Manager in the Charles Smith Dorm at Norfolk State University. With degree in hand and having been licensed to preach the Word, Rev. Pittman moved on to the final full time call God gave him as Counselor at the Pines Residential Treatment Center in the city of Portsmouth, VA. He served in this position until he retired in 2012 receiving the “Good Guy” Award for several consecutive quarters.
He leaves to cherish his rich memory a loving wife, Mrs. Dorothy L. Pittman, Norfolk, VA; three sons, Lorenzo Pittman, (Theresa) Virginia Beach, VA, Reginald Pittman, Kennesaw, GA and Aaron Pittman, Norfolk, VA; four daughters, Linda Taylor (Stephen, deceased), Norfolk, VA, Dorothy Smith, (Mordecai) Chesapeake, VA, Carol Parker, (Reginald) Atlanta, GA, Tonya Meyers, (Reginald) Richmond, VA and Telisa Pittman, Norfolk, VA; one remaining sister, Nevater White, Chesapeake, VA; a special daughter Yvonne Smith, Chesapeake, VA; thirteen grandsons, five granddaughters, nine great grandchildren, and a host of nieces, nephews, relatives and friends.
A viewing will take place from 6:30-8:30 pm Friday 28, April in Altmeyer Funeral Home Southside Chapel, 5792 Greenwich Rd, Virginia Beach and from 10:00-11:00 am, Saturday 29, April in Jerusalem Baptist Church, 718 Tidewater Drive, Norfolk where the funeral will take place. Online condolences may be offered to the family at www.altmeyerfh.com.