Willie Ervin Pittman (PJ)

Brother (Mr.) Willie Ervin Pittman, the son of Althea Russ Pittman, and Nathan Pittman, was born in Vero Beach (Gifford) Florida, April 5^, 1935. To this union was born two children, Willie Ervin and his beloved sister Queen.

On December 12, 2020, Brother Pittman departed this life to be with the Lord.  Brother Pittman, fondly called Ervin by his family was raised by his maternal grandmother, Massadonia Russ.  He attended the Gifford Public School System in Indian River County, Florida and was a graduate of the Van Rensselaer High School in Rensselaer, New York.  Also earned Auto Repair Certification from Hudson Valley Community College in Troy, New York.

At an early age Brother Pittman grew up in the Church of God in Christ (COGIC) in Gifford, Florida where he was the church musician.  Later after moving to the Tri-City area of Albany, he attended Refreshing Spring COGIC where he directed the Men’s Choir.

Brother Pittman joined the United States Air Force during the Korean War where he served four years as an Air Police Guard and awarded the National Defense Service Medal. 

Brother Pittman was joined in Holy matrimony to Ms. Ethel Pearl Isabell and to this union was born seven children. Felecia, Elizabeth, Jeffery, Nathaniel, Crystal, Tina, and Tanya.

Brother Pittman was employed for Callahan Construction and Albany Felt Company from where he retired.  He later started his own business at the fork of Clinton Ave, Sherman, and Ontario Streets.  “PJ’s Auto Repair” where he earned the name Mr. P.J. by the Albany community.

Brother Pittman was a member of the Mount Olive Southern Missionary Baptist Church, where he proudly sang with the Male Chorus and the Senior Choir.  He was also a member of the Beauty Club Ministry and a member of the Laymen’s Ministry.

He was preceded in death by his wife Ethel Pearl Pittman, Mother Althea Pittman, Father Nathan Pittman, Grandmother Massadonia Russ, daughters Elizabeth Pittman and Tanya Pittman, son Jeffery Pittman and nephew Leon Hayes.

He leaves to cherish his memory his beloved sister Queen Pittman Henderson of Vero Beach, Florida; his Beloved daughters Felicia Pittman of Gloversville; Crystal Pittman Taylor (John) of Albany NY; Tina Pittman Holloway (Maurice) of Auburn Alabama; and son Nathaniel Pittman of Rome, NY.  His beloved soulmate of twenty-one years, Ms. Mary K. Moore.

Also, he is survived by twelve grandchildren, eighteen great grandchildren, one beloved niece Michi Morris (Wayne) of Vero Beach, Florida, nephews: Clister, Victor, Roy, Leon, and Villery Hayes all of Florida and seventeen grandnieces and nephews, a host of cousins, friends, and the Mount Olive SMB Church family.

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