Page 3 - Florida Sentinel 3-20-18

Feature
Popular ‘Mother’ To Many Dies After Lengthy Illness
BY IRIS B. HOLTON Sentinel City Editor
A popular Tampa wo- man who was known as “Mother” by those she met has died. Mrs. Flossie Pittman was 85-years-old.
Mrs. Pittman slipped quietly away on Thursday, March 15th, surrounded by her family. Her son, Peter Knight, Jr., said, “It was just the way she wanted to go.”
A native of Dawson, Georgia, Mrs. Pittman moved to Tampa as a child with her family. She at- tended the public schools of Hillsborough County. Dur- ing her tenure at Middleton High School, Mrs. Pittman was a standout on the Girls Basketball Team.
After graduating, she en- tered the workforce, becom- ing an employee of the Lily
MRS. FLOSSIE PITTMAN 7/26/1932 --- 3/15/2018
White Hospital.
Mrs. Pittman began
transporting children as a driver for the Hillsborough County Public School Trans- portation. She was very pop- ular and retired after more than 20 years of service due to her health. She is also well known as an employee of Wilson’s Funeral Home.
She was a member of Mt. Olive Missionary Baptist Church for more than 50 years. During the last two years, she worshipped at New Bethel P. M. B. Church, her daughter, Mrs. Algie Baptist said.
“She loved people and everyone called her mother. If someone’s mother died, she adopted that person. She really adopted them. She loved cooking. She was all about her family and her community,” Mrs. Baptist said.
Knight said, “We just want to thank Ms. Tonya Lewis for honoring her during the Pre-Valentine’s Day Gala. That was her last rally and she smelled her flowers.”
While her health allowed, Mrs. Pittman was very ac- tive in church, serving in several capacities. She was also a member of the East- ern Stars, Evening Light 2, International Masons.
Mrs. Pittman was the mother of 8 children, with one preceding her in death. She also has numerous other grandchildren, adopted children, godchil- dren, other family members and friends.
Funeral services for Mrs. Pittman will take place on Saturday, March 24th, at 12 noon. Wilson’s Funeral Home is in charge of han- dling arrangements.
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