Margaret Cooper Pittman, 97, of Raleigh, NC, passed peacefully on October 10, 2023. She was born June 27, 1926, to the late Luther and Emily Windom Cooper. Upon graduation from Hugh Morson High School, Margaret had achieved twelve years of perfect attendance and top grades. Two years later, she eloped with J. Melson Pittman, Jr., her sweetheart since the fourth grade. They enjoyed over fifty years of marriage, until his passing.

Margaret was a longtime member of Western Boulevard Presbyterian Church, where she faithfully served in many capacities, including nurturing young lives in the Preschool. She and Margaret Cox, her dearest friend, and fellow Atlanta Braves fan, weekly visited church members who were homebound or in assisted living communities.

Over time she worked for several State of North Carolina agencies or departments, saving her vacation each year to serve as a hostess in the art exhibit at the NC State Fair, warmly greeting artists and visitors, many stopping by annually to visit and introduce her to spouses and children.

Margaret worked over two decades in the NC State University Horticulture Department as "just a secretary", but to some students she was much more than that, perhaps a much-needed listening ear or giver of motherly advice. It was not uncommon to find students sitting around her dining room table enjoying plates of home cooked goodness. Upon her retirement, Margaret was honored with the establishment of the Margaret Pittman Horticultural Science Scholarship Endowment, awarded annually to a deserving Horticulture student. She considered this one of the most cherished gifts ever received. She loved "her students" and it was important to her that they stay in school as "what you put between your ears, no one can ever take away."

Celebrating her life are daughter Beverly Hill, granddaughter Mollie Craver and grandson Karl Hill; daughter Bobbi Cross (Jerry), granddaughter Kaycee Rice (Johnny), great-grandsons Jasper, Noah and Jax; and granddaughter Krystee Curry (Casey), who are expecting Margaret's fourth great-grandson, Keiryn . She is also survived by a much-loved niece, Millie Pearson, brother-in-law Ronny Pittman (Carolyn) and their families. Margaret had one sister, Evelyn, now deceased. We wish we could list here all of her relatives, neighbors and friends who meant the world to her, but their numbers are far too vast.

We are grateful for the love and support of our churches, WBPC and Athens Drive Baptist, plus her social workers, friends, medical teams, roommates, chaplains, and other facility employees that have cared for her and guided us on this journey for more than a decade. Special appreciation goes out to Transitions LifeCare for your support, care and concern these last heartbreaking years. Although flowers are welcome, we think Mom would ask that you consider donating to the Margaret Pittman Horticultural Science Scholarship Endowment (010407/663765) at NC State University Foundation, Campus Box 7474, Raleigh NC 27695-7474 or online @give.ncsu.edu.

There will be a graveside service at Montlawn Cemetery in Raleigh on Friday October 20, 2023, at 2:00
pm. Feel free to bring a chair if you wish. In the future, there will be an informal Celebration Fellowship
for friends and family to gather for food, sharing and remembering our mother.