Milton Pittman, Sr.

Mr. Milton Pittman Sr., 74 of South Bend, Indiana, passed away on Saturday August 15, 2020 in Memorial Hospital of South Bend. He was born on August 29, 1945 in Pine Bluff Arkansas, to the union of the late Henry Nathaniel and Clara O (Williams) Pittman Sr. He was brought into this world with his twin Mildred. The Pittman family later relocated to Mishawaka, Indiana in June 1948. Eventually, they moved to South Bend, Indiana in August 1961. While living in Mishawaka he attended Mishawaka High School and later transferred to Riley High School of South Bend. During high school he was an avid football player.

On November 20, 1965 he married the love of his life, Mai Margaret Gauldin. To this union they had three sons – Milton Jr., Shawn, and Marcus.

Milton, affectionally known as Milt, Pops, Papa, Uncle Milt, Pitt, Daddy Pitt, Coach Pittman, and Mr. Pittman had a contagious laugh and smile. He loved to dance, play card/board games, joke around, and have family gatherings in the garage. The garage was most famous for joy and laughter from family and friends while he did what he loved to do most, preparing Bar-B-Que for summer holidays and family reunions. He had the BEST TENDER Bar-B-Que. Everyone loved “Uncle Milt”, he never met a stranger. He was a mentor to everyone he knew. No matter what anyone needed he was always there. Milton loved his family with all his heart and soul. Nothing was more important to him than family. He worked two jobs his entire adult life to support and provide for his family. His legacy and strong family values are displayed through his wife and three sons. This gentle giant will be tremendously missed.

Milton was a retiree from AM General (33yrs), SBCSC Transportation Department (25 years) and Special Police at the South Bend Housing Authority. He played and coached Softball, Bowled, Assistant Coach for girls Basketball at LaSalle High School and Dickinson Middle School, Coached AAU, Northwest Little League, Union Rep for UAW Local 5 and was a member of the Elks Lodge #298. He also enjoyed watching sports and attending games to support family and friends. Especially the Notre Dame Women’s Basketballl games that he would attend with his brother Jim. He enjoyed trips to Indianapolis to attend the HBCU Circle City Classics with special friends and family: Leroy and Everzine Chambliss, James and Nelly Jennings, Randy and Liz Bond, Ronnie and Mai Sue Bond, Henry and Delois Weymon, and Napoleon and Patricia Pittman. Some of his favorite teams were, the Chicago Bulls, Cubs and Bears. He was a member of Laymen Chapel CME Church where he served as a Steward under the leadership of Rev. B.W. Kirk.

Milton leaves to cherish his loving memory his faithful, loving, caring and devoted wife of 55 years Mai Margaret. His loving sons Milton (Tamiko) Pittman Jr., Shawn (Natalie) Pittman Sr., Marcus (Ericka) Pittman Sr., Bryan (Yolanda) Dennis, and Adrian (Leah) Dennis Sr. 14 Grandchildren: Shawn Jr., Ashlee, Anthony, Kierra, Marcus Jr., TaShay, Talesa, Tyra, Parish, Payton, Dalen, Delano, Typhani and Cevion. 8 Great Grandchildren: Giovanni, Daniel, Tre’Shawn, Moriyah, Caiden, Kaiya, Tymir, Sevyn and two unborn due in 2021.

His loving and caring siblings, Sisters: Bessie Foster and Delois (Henry) Weymon of South Bend, his twin Mildred (Henry) Curtis Sr. of Altadena CA, and Geraldine (Gerri) Fitch of Dumfries VA. Brothers: Henry Nathaniel (Dorothy) Pittman Jr. of Elkhart Indiana, James (Maybell) Pittman Sr., and Napoleon (Patricia) Pittman of South Bend In. Sister’s in law: Mai Sue (Ronnie) Bond, and Beverly Harris of Fort Wayne Indiana. Brother in law: Jimmie Gauldin of South Bend Indiana. God-Daughter: Carmen Williams and his forever daughters: LaTanza Newbill, Dwann Lottie, Quila Pettus, Kim Phillips, and Tomorrow Pittman Special sons: Chester Wigfall, DeRon Phillips, Alvin Walker, Derrick White, Shawn Spriggs, Maurice Scott, Terrance Scott, Andre Wells, Sr. and Robert Jackson Jr. Special thanks to his nieces, Kim, Natali, Val and Dawn, who were an tremendous help during his brief illness. Along with a host of nieces and nephews who were more like his children, family, and friends.

Along with his parents, he is also preceded in death by one Brother: Benjamin Pittman Sr., Sister: Ruby L. Pittman, Sister’s in law: Mary Pittman and Hattie Magee, Brother’s in law: Charles Fitch Sr., Warren Harris, J.L. Gauldin and Watsey Gauldin. Nephews: Benjamin (Jackie) Pittman Jr., and Andre Pittman Sr. Nieces: Marla Pittman and Andrea (Nikki) Fitch, and Special son: Carlas Lee who always referred to him as “Mr. President”.

The Pittman family would like to thank Drs. Thomas Reid, Samuel McGrath and staff of Memorial Hospital Radiation Oncology/Hematology Oncology/Cancer Care Center for all of their tremendous patient care and support.

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