Mr. Laurens D. "Brother" Pitts

Laurens Dorroh “Brother” Pitts of Columbia, South Carolina, born May 14, 1936, died on Wednesday, January 15, 2025 at the age of 88. Brother was the son of the late John Douglas Pitts and Celeste Williams Pitts of Rock Hill. He was a graduate of Winthrop Training School (1953) and Wofford College (1958). He was commissioned as an officer through ROTC, and he served a tour as First Lieutenant in the United States Army at Fort Jackson, South Carolina. These schools and military service influenced him his entire life, and the stories enrich family lore. Brother held many titles, but none of them was as important to him as Daddy, Paw-Paw, or Friend. Brother was renowned for his quick wit, fantastic memory, loyalty to friends and family, and for inciting smiles and chuckles in every room he entered. Brother is survived by his children: Catherine Moring (John), Elizabeth Hurley (Roy), Abby Callahan (Fred) and Laurens D. Pitts, Jr.; grandchildren: Mathew Pilot (Danielle), Ryan Hurley (Maggi), Dylan Hurley (Kristen), Elissa Humphries (Timothy), Jessie Callahan (Jason), Daniel Callahan, Marina Morris (Dallian) and Reilly Pitts; sister, Mary Pitts Perry (Bill), sister-in-law, Nancy Jackson Pitts, and by his seven great-grandchildren. He is also survived by Nancy A. Pitts, mother of their four children. Brother was predeceased by his brothers John Douglas Pitts, Jr. and Francis McCaffrey Pitts. He was also preceded in death by Mary “Kathy” Britzius, his love and partner for over 37 years. Brother succeeded in sales positions with Lederle Laboratories, Allen-Morrison Sign Company, and Taylor Brothers Building Materials Company, Lynchburg, Virginia. He moved his family from Virginia back home to South Carolina in 1973 to open The Chopping Block Steaks & Spirits in Columbia. Brother retired from Budweiser of Columbia after a long and illustrious career in sales and marketing. Brother was an avid fan of golf. He personally attended many school events of his grandchildren, to include high school tournaments. He would also make annual events out of the Masters and the Heritage. Seldom was his television tuned to anything other than golf. With his classmates, work associates, friends, and neighbors, Brother had a story about everyone. These stories endeared him to his family and made devout, lifelong friends. It seems that everyone has a Brother Pitts story in need of repeated, embellished telling. For so many, Brother was their sparkling wink and good cheer. The family is grateful to his caretakers over the years, including the staff at Harbison Shores and All Seasons Hospice. The assisted living and health services personnel delighted in his antics and formed a warm community around him. The family of Brother Pitts is deeply appreciative. A celebration of life will be held at a later date. Memorials to the Wofford College Academic Scholarships fund are appreciated, in lieu of flowers.

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Mr. Laurens D. "Brother" Pitts

May 14, 1936 - January 15, 2025