Clay W. Pitts

On Wednesday January 17^th, Clay Woodson Pitts, 92, passed away peacefully with family at his side. 

Born on January 7, 1932, in Chalkville, Alabama, Clay was our beloved family patriarch. He was our inspiration for hard work and eternal dedication to family. He found mischievous joy in a good practical joke and appreciated that attribute in others. For all the years of his life, he loved cars and racing. He was a patient and skilled mechanic and could fix most anything. A living example of the good Samaritan, Clay was most content when helping others. Clay was a devoted attendee to any family birthday, holiday or end of life celebration. He and his wife Clarice (Adams) raised their son Steve in a loving home.

He attended Hewitt-Trussville High School. As a young man, he fell in love and married Clarice in 1952. Within a year he was serving his country in the U. S. Army, stationed in Germany during the Korean Conflict. Upon his return to the States, he established a career with Remington as the retail store manager in downtown Birmingham. Clay chose to retire early from Remington, to care for Clarice who had been battling health issues that led to her untimely passing. Always motivated to stay busy, as a retiree he worked part time for Edwards Chevrolet. Throughout his life, Clay was an avid fan of Alabama football and NASCAR. Later, he spent many happy years traveling to visit family and friends with his loving companion Elsie Gamel. Clay’s long-time church home was First Baptist Church of Trussville and he was a Past Master of the King Hiram No. 774 Masonic Lodge.

Clay was preceded in death by his wife, Clarice; his sisters, Carolyn Wilder, Louise Pitts, and Nira Long; and his longtime companion, Elsie Gamel. He is survived by his son, Steve, and daughter-in-law, Jill; three grandchildren; and three great-grandchildren.

For those who prefer a donation in lieu flowers, please consider a donation to Hopefull Handbags Global Nonprofit (www.hopefullhandbags.org) or the Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research (https://www.michaeljfox.org/).