Anthony Thomas Turner Pittman, formerly of Clarksdale, passed away on Tuesday, May 18, 2021 in Memphis after a brief illness. Funeral services will be held at 2:30 p.m. Saturday, May 29, 2021 at Union Grove M. B. Church, 2237 N. State St., Clarksdale, with burial to follow at Heavenly Rest Cemetery. Visitation will be held from 3 to 6 p.m. Friday, May 28 at Meredith-Nowell Funeral Home, which is in charge of arrangements.
Anthony was born Sept. 11, 1948 in Rich to Charles Pittman and Alma Turner Pittman. He grew up attending Greater First Apostolic Church of Clarksdale with his mother. He received his education in the Clarksdale Municipal School District, graduating from W. A. Higgins High School. He pursued his post-secondary education at Coahoma Junior College in Clarksdale.
Over the years, Anthony had various occupations. Primarily, he was a truck driver but also was an entrepreneur and a gifted musician, like his father, who mastered numerous instruments. He regularly shared his talents and knowledge with others and made major impacts on their lives with his commitment and dedication to his craft. Anthony also had a zest for life. He never met a stranger and could always make a person smile or laugh out loud by his humor. He was a joy to know.
Anthony was preceded in death by his father, Charles Pittman, Sr.; his mother, Alma Grace; stepfather, Eddie Grace; his two brothers, Paul Pittman and Marvin Pittman (Cassandra); his sister, Peggy Pittman Cooper (Lloyd); and his youngest son, Anthony Charles Hill (Aoulanda).
Left to cherish his vibrant spirit are his stepmom, Elsie Pittman-Shannon; son Claude Neely (Diane) of Jonesboro, Ga.; his three daughters, Dietriche Jones (Dwayne), Anjavette Payton (Jamal), and Rava Pittman, all of Greenwood; seven brothers: Dr. Frederick Spencer (Patricia) of St. Louis, Mo.; Charles Pittman of Little Rock, Ark.; Aubrey “Nick” Pittman, Esq. of Carrollton, Texas; Shaun Pittman (Sharon) of Mays Landing, N.J.; Oscar Porter of Natchez; Terry Porter of Macon, Ga.; and Larry Johnson of Clarksdale, MS; four sisters, LaVerne Pittman Harris (Leonard) of Houston, Texas; Helen Pittman Cockrell (Raynard) of Missouri City, Texas; Tana Pittman Vassel (Daniel) of Clarksdale; and Angela Nabors (Roger) of Augusta, Ga.; nine grandchildren, Kortney Stewart, Dwayne Jones, Jamya Payton, and Demetrius McCain, all of Greenwood; Amir Neely and Dejae Neely of Jonesboro, Ga.; Amaria Hill, Jakaria Ray, and Xavier Jones of Edmond, Okla.; one great grandchild, Keelan Avery Sproles of Greenwood; and numerous nieces, nephews, cousins, other relatives, and beloved friends.
