Mr. James Pitt

After 87 respectable years on this earth, James Henry Pitt Jr. peacefully transitioned in the comfort of his home on April 22,2024. 

From humble beginnings in Portsmouth, Virginia, James enlisted in the US Navy as a teen. After his service, he jumped into the workforce and defied many odds in starting a stable, productive life and career in Newport News, Virginia. He married Thelma Greene, had three children and was the best provider his family could ask for. Suddenly becoming a single father to three children in 1976, James worked longed hours and put provisions in place to ensure he was present and accountable for giving his children the best life he could provide. Although Mr. Pitt only had three biological children, he became a father-in-love to many through his kind acts and caring spirit. He never wanted any child to feel a void if he could help it. This sentiment extended to family, friends and neighbors alike. 

James Pitt dedicated decades to climbing the ladder at VEPCO / Virginia Power (now Dominion Energy). At a time when men of color weren’t in leadership roles, he excelled as a supervisor at the Yorktown power station and ensured that many Virginians had electricity in their homes. In 1991, James decided to retire at 55 years old after recently becoming a first-time grandfather. His desire was to pour more time into his family and leave the long hours and double shifts behind- and he did. He also took this time to solidify his entrepreneurial endeavors in starting his own landscaping business. When James Pitt was on the job you could expect perfection, quality, value and dedication- not a grass out of place. He went on to establish a diverse and loyal customer base in Hampton Roads.

In the most recent years, James Pitt took tremendous pride in taking care of his yard and the yards of other friends and family members. Up until July 2023, you could catch 86-year-old Mr. Pitt on his riding mower making sure every blade of grass was in place. When he wasn’t working on the yard, he was out socializing with neighbors or driving down to the waterfront to catch a breeze. In 2016, he became a great-grandfather and extended all the love and compassion he could muster into his new role as “Pop-Pop.” From the delivery room through second-grade, he was there every step of the way, not missing a beat. 

The physical departure of Mr. James Pitt Jr. is the crushing loss of such a caring, honorable and loving man that meant so much to so many. April 22, 2024 he reunited with his wife, five siblings, one son and other family, friends and neighbors that predeceased him. Left to cherish his memory are siblings, Ed (Martha) and Lily; daughter, Cherilyn (Putt); grandchildren Cherelle (Tu-Tu), Joshua James, Nehemiah and Solomon; great-grandson Givonni James and a host of other family, friends, neighbors and loved ones. 

A viewing will be held Friday, 4/26/24 1-5pm at C.C. Carter Funeral Home - 3700 Marshall Ave. Newport News, VA 23607.

Services will be held Saturday, 4/27/24 at 1pm at Hampton Memorial Gardens cemetery- 155 Butler Farm Rd, Hampton, VA 23666 where he will rest next to his wife, Thelma Pitt. Please join the family at the Pitt home (19th St. Newport News)immediately afterwards to share time, memories, food and drinks. 

Thank you for all your kind words and condolences.

  The family of Mr. James Pitt  requests that you keep them in your thoughts and prayers.  

The family of Mr. James Pitt ,has entrusted his final  care to C. C. Carter Funeral Home, Inc.   

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Mr. James Pitt, please visit our floral store.