Mae Delores “Ammaw”
Fortenberry Pittman
80, Bunker Hill
Community
Services for family and close friends were held at 3 p.m. on Wednesday, Oct. 2, 2024, at Cedar Grove Baptist Church for Mae Delores “Ammaw” Fortenberry Pittman, 80, of the Bunker Hill community, who passed away at her home on Tuesday, Oct. 1, after a long battle with dementia. Burial followed in Cedar Grove Cemetery. Bro. Tommy Broom officiated at the services.
Growing up in Columbia, she was a bright student, even winning the spelling bee in elementary school. She married Kenneth in her mid-teens and sadly lost two babies at birth but then welcomed babies Laurie and Danny. As a homemaker, her days were filled with running business errands for Kenneth’s mechanic shop and the children and their activities and making family favorite foods. As the grandchildren began to arrive, she became known as “Ammaw” to all.
Every week, she would catch the latest news from the ladies at the salon while she got her hair washed and styled so she’d look her best for Sunday services. From a young age, until the last few years of her life, she was very involved in Cedar Grove Baptist Church. Sundays were always for church and bringing the grandchildren meant that the Pittman family pew would be filled.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Marshall and Hazel Fortenberry; husband, the love of her life for 61 years, Kenneth Pittman; two infant children, Kenneth Stephen and Susan Melinda; daughter-in-law, Renee Polk Pittman; one grandchild, David Klay Pittman; and stepmother, Wilma Lee Powell Fortenberry.
Survivors include her daughter, Laurie Pittman Dement; son, Danny Pittman (Angela); sister, Elaine Walker (Mike); brother, Gene Fortenberry (Wanda); and Ammaw was overwhelmingly loved by her seven surviving grandchildren and 16 great-grandchildren.
With a life focused on family and rooted in faith, she will be fondly remembered by all who ever had the honor of meeting her. You couldn’t help but love her and she loved you back unconditionally.
In lieu of flowers, the family asks donations to be made to Alzheimer’s research at alz.org.
