Nancy E. Pittman June 6, 1938-April 3, 2025

God, in His infinite wisdom, blessed Bertha Virginia Johnson Pittman and Milford Maurice Pittman with a beautiful baby girl on June 6, 1938. They named her Nancy Estelle. The newly expanded family resided at 1474 Washington Avenue in Altoona, PA, later relocating to 1901 Fifteenth Avenue.

Nancy’s formative years were joyful, and her early years enriched by faithful attendance at Sunday School, Children’s Choir, Vacation Bible School at Mt. Zion Baptist and First Baptist Churches. Nancy was baptized at Mt. Zion Baptist Church by Rev. Flood, circa 1948. Being an avid reader from her earliest childhood, her questioning spirit often kept her teachers and elders on their toes. Her education grew as she attended Garfield Elementary and David Scott Keith Junior High schools. She graduated with English, Science and Mathematics honors, plus a scholarship in the class of 1956 from Altoona Senior High School. The scholarship led to acceptance into the School of Nursing at Jefferson Hospital, Philadelphia, PA.

Nancy’s multi-talents covered a vast area from her rich singing voice, acting, painting, knitting, crewel, crocheting, designing and then executing the superb designs into her children’s clothing. Her proudest moments were centered around her motherhood to her girls, Rhonda Rae and Brenda Louise. Her saddest moment, which she never forgot, was the immediate ‘from birth adoption’ of her newborn son, Brian Curtis (Herman Addison), whom she never got to hold or see after birth. Forced into giving up your child for adoption was practiced then without the mother’s consent and, sad to say, continues today in many instances. Throughout the years, Nancy and her friends kept her son in prayer.

To some, Nancy seemed strong-willed, but for those who knew her on a deeper level, she was a determined young lady, well ahead of her time. True to her values, she did not bow to the trends of the day, nor compromise to fit the current circumstances or social expectations of other. Her deep faith and much of her spirited attitude played a powerful part in her having survived a ruptured brain aneurysm on June 7, 1962. Unheard of in those days, she was packed in ice, driven through the mountains to the University of Pittsburgh Hospital for the then little-known/practiced neurosurgery. The prognosis was grim.

BUT, GOD had a plan for her life that those treating her did not count on. Nancy not only survived by HIS GRACE but with the determined support of family, her parents, sisters, Florence and Daisy, brother, Milford, and friends, she continued rehabbing at home. Every gain was a triumphant victory on the road to recovery as she also worked very hard to be the mom, she desired for her two little girls, who remained with her. To her, the struggles were worth all the effort. She regained far beyond the expectations of others. The residual stroke symptoms did not deter her from continuing to live to the fullest the life God gave her.

Nancy was a friend to the friendless. She made a way to communicate. No one was a stranger within minutes of meeting her. Though the brain surgery had not restored her speech, she could still sing to the Lord the hymns of our youth, both clearly and distinctly. What a blessing. Her mind was as sharp as in her youth. Her beautiful smile removed the gloomy days. Always ready to pray, you knew she knew the Lord intimately.

In 1983, with the passing of her mother, Bertha, Nancy began a new chapter of her life. Moving to Steelton, PA, with her sister, Florence, an RN, she also, was near to her daughter, Brenda. Beloved cousins were near and frequent visitors.

Three years later, Nancy moved to the San Francisco Bay Area with daughter, Rhonda, and son-in-law, Clifford Moore. This move gave her new challenges, which she met head-on, showing herself and others again that she was even more determined to overcome preconceived limitations. Soon, She and her encouraging son-in-law were mistaken for mother and son at shopping malls, where she independently shopped for herself. The truth of their relationship was set aright after giving them and Rhonda a good laugh.

She joined the Third Baptist Church in San Francisco, forming new friendships, especially in the Adult Sunday School classes. When the family moved to Oakland, Nancy joined the Beth Eden Baptist Church.

Later, when Nancy’s physical well-being, safety and care could no longer be met at home, a facility was carefully chosen. On moving day, Nancy smiled lovingly as Rhonda cried as she went to her new home. At the new resident facility, Nancy joined classes well suited to her multi-talents, which had never deserted her. Her artistic talents, flourishing led to participation in a Juried Art Exhibition. The physical therapy stimulated as well as challenged her.

She traveled often with Rhonda and Clifford, to Altoona, to Vegas to pull the ‘one armed bandits’ machines, visited the National Mall monuments in Washington, DC, and was blessed by vacationing with long-time friends, Chet and Jean White. At the beach, they enjoyed the sun and some of her favorite music (Etta James, Phoebe Snow, etc.).

A gentleman whom Nancy met in her facility approached Clifford to ask for her hand in marriage. Unfortunately, he passed away before the marriage could take place. During his last days, Nancy lovingly sat by his bed holding his hand until he made his transition.

Then came COVID-19 with its lockdowns, an infectious disease that took a major toll on Nancy’s health and life twice. The periods of isolation shut the doors of activities which had become reliable sources of interactions in the liveliness of many facilities everywhere. She put up a good, godly fight, but Nancy never regained her prior enjoyment of the rigorous schedule she had led. Yes, she made new friends, embraced old friends who remained but life had changed, especially so, when her sister, Florence, was called home by the Lord in 2024.

Nancy told Rhonda and her friends she was ready to be called, to be reunited with all the family members who had preceded her. This was her prayer. The LORD HEARD HER. HE lovingly, softly called, “Nancy, come Home.” At 3:43 pm on April 3, 2025, Nancy moved from this earthly journey into HIS arms of rest. We are certain that God answers, prayers. We believe that as Nancy looks around in awe, the familiar faces of her prayers, fully answered, she now holds and sees her son for the first time. PRAISE THE LORD, THANK YOU, LORD, GOD ALMIGHTY.

Nancy’s parents, siblings, son, son-in-law, granddaughter, Nuri-Yasmeen and grandson, Lonte, predeceased her. Her memory is cherished by her loving daughter, Brenda (Martin) John of Harrisburg, PA; her nephews, Jeffrey Scott Pittman of Steelton, PA and M. Maurice Pittman, III of Houston, TX and her thoughtful niece, Virginia Estelle Louise Frazier of Laurel, MD.

Moreover, Nancy is mourned by her sister-in-law, J. Yvonne Pittman of Harrisburg, PA; her goddaughter, Kim D. White of Silver Springs, MD and cousins, Christine L. Campbell of Upper Marlboro, MD and Karen Washington of Mount Bethel, PA; Marva Jean White and family of Silver Springs, MD; first cousin Connie Perry of Atlanta, GA and her two loyal and wise “sister/friends”, Sarah “Sissy” Magee of Philadelphia, PA and Ellen Carr of Piedmont, CA, her frequent visitor and card sender, Ramon Harris of Boca Raton, FL as well as a host of cousins and friends too numerous to mention.

Nancy’s gifts and legacy include her granddaughter, Aisha Addison and grandsons: Jemeel and Travar Addison and four great-grandchildren: London, Khaden, Mariah and Michael.

Lastly, she will be loved and longed for by her first born, Rhonda Rae, until they are reunited again.

Arrangements have been provided by The Stevens Mortuary, Inc.

Online condolences may be made at www.stevensfamilyfuneralhomes.com or Stevens Family Funeral Homes Facebook.