Sylvia Pitts, affectionately, known as Syl, was born on February 24, 1945, in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. She was one of twelve children born to the late Heyward and Sarah (Bloss) Pitts. Sylvia entered peacefully into eternal rest on Friday, December 30, 2022, at University of Maryland Capital Region Medical Center in Lake Arbor, Maryland as her family members were praying by her bedside.

Sylvia accepted Jesus as her Lord and Savior in her early childhood years. It is with that assurance in the promises of her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ that she is now “home” with the Lord. (John 3:16) Syl, was a faithful founding member of Fresh Word Ministries in Duquesne, Pennsylvania. She wore many hats in her church. Syl served as a Deaconess, the Church Treasurer, and a beloved member of the “Divine Angels”, Women’s Ministry Fellowship. Syl was known for her zeal for life. She loved her family immensely and made everyone feel like they were related to her as she was a nurturer to so many. Countless children in the church and community loved and knew Syl as a “mother” figure and lovingly referred to her as “Mama Syl”. She was actively loving to the kids in the community. Syl was a listener and was known for her “tell it like it is” advice. Everybody knew her! Syl loved to cook and eat, bake cakes, host fish fries, play bingo and host card parties. Equal to her love for cooking, was being spoiled by others cooking for her. Seeing others have fun was her joy. Her laughter was infectious. Syl was a huge Pittsburgh Steelers football fan and could be found cheering them on from her favorite reclining chair in her living room. Syl loved traveling with her family and grandchildren throughout the United States and abroad. In addition, everyone knew Syl’s passion for dancing (even with her cane). However, due to her declining health in recent years limited her smooth moves and now we celebrate that she is free to “dance” in heaven.

Syl was a hardworking woman. Her life was one of sacrifice. Syl worked for many years at Duquesne High School. Her commitment to her beloved son Terrance was unquestionable. She religiously attended all of his little league, and multiple sporting events throughout her son’s maturing years. Her firm hand insisted that Terrance apply himself to his schoolwork throughout higher education and she encouraged Terrance to be strengthened by his faith in Jesus. Syl exercised her maternal determination to encourage her son to work hard, dream and work to seek a prosperous life. So notably was Syl’s sacrifice, that while she did attend but did not graduate from Duquesne High School, she kept her promise to Terrance and returned to school and earned her GED after Terrance graduated from college. Sylvia had an active life. As a young woman, Syl worked at her father’s juke joint named “The Hole”. Syl was a committed organizer, leader, and a humble volunteer in the community. She was an active volunteer for many years in the parent’s high school Booster Club and worked tirelessly to garner support, organize fundraisers, host annual banquets, and bolstered resources for the children in the community to ensure that they had warm meals, trophies, and letterman jackets, regardless of their means. She also volunteered for annual community days. A tireless worker in political and community grassroots efforts, Syl was a volunteer at the election polls and later a very influential citizen and an advocate for the underserved and underprivileged citizens in the community.

To mourn a great loss but to cherish her memory, Sylvia leaves behind her loving son, Terrance (Janet) Pitts, Sr., grandson, Terrance (Courtney) Pitts, Jr., grand-daughter, Latisha (Adrian), Davis; four great-grandchildren, Dylan Pitts, Kennedy Wallace, Keon Davis, and Mekhi Corbin of Maryland; one sister Stephanie (James) Pitts-Carter, Bronx, New York; one brother Wayne (Wendy) Staples, Duquesne, Pennsylvania; sisters in law Barbara (Cliff) Pitts, Jeannie (Ollie) Pitts, Delores (Merle) Pitts, Shareronie (Lawrence) Pitts, her in-law and dear friend, Helen Robinson, endeared “children” Pastor Trennon and Lisa Neal along with a host of loving, caring nieces and nephews, extended family, and many, many friends.

She was preceded in death by her father Heyward Pitts, mother Sarah Pitts, five sisters Patricia Pitts-Scott, Elizabeth Pitts (Dudley) Crandall, Marie (Luther) Simmons, Pearl Pitts, and Willa (Phil) Moravian, along with five brothers, Heyward (Mary Catherine) Pitts Jr., John Pitts, Merle Pitts, Lawrence Pitts, and Clifton Pitts; as well as two endeared loved ones Gwen Rowe, and Bill Green