BEING ABLE to recognize people that have had huge impacts on the lives of others is always a special occasion. I am so proud to be able to share with all of you, the celebration of the career of an individual that has been devoted to caring for, teaching, and loving on kids for the past 34 years. She just happens to be my only sister, Cathy Pitts, or more famously known as Ms. Cathy. Her devotion to her calling has been nothing short of amazing. Cathy began working at the First Presbyterian Church Child Care Center (FPCCCC) in 1988 with Ms. Erma Bedwell, who was the director at the time. After Ms. Erma retired in 2012, Ms. Cathy took on the director role and continued to drive the child care center, keeping the objective of making learning fun and creating a child’s thirst for knowledge that will never end. To work with children requires a special person, and there are so many special people across our great city and county that do this every day. But for this writing, I choose to focus on Ms. Cathy because she will be retiring in June of this year.
My sister has always had a gift of working with children. Her patience and recognition that each child is different and special is not just an act; it is genuine. Her resume of being a mom of four successful children, Todd Pitts, Nikki Franklin, Daniel Pitts, and Steven Pitts, along with being Nana to 12 beautiful grandchildren, is enough in itself to declare that she is more than qualified to perform the duties of the position she has occupied. She has received nothing but unconditional support from her husband of 47 years, Ray Pitts. (By the way, Ray is my favorite brother-in-law!) I have watched over the years how Cathy and Ray have poured out their love for their children and grandchildren, giving in every way possible to ensure a healthy environment for kids to be kids and eventually grow up to mature into amazing adults, raising their own kids in the same manner.
You see, for my sister to take on the role of director of FPCCCC came naturally. Many kids have gone through the center over the years. The team of teachers working together during the 34 years has been nothing short of exemplary. The legacy of all the people that have put their hearts and souls into caring for children continues in the hearts and minds of those that were beneficiaries of that love and devotion.
I want to share with you some comments from my sister’s retirement letter:
She says, “I have enjoyed every day of my tenure with the child care center. It is an avocation as well as a vocation for me. I have always adored working with little ones—every day is a new adventure! Our parents and families are a vital part of our program. The board members have been so supportive of our efforts and projects. I was blessed to learn from the best—Ms. Erma, Ms. Dee, and Ms. Jo—as well as other teachers and co-workers through the years, who have all helped to mold my philosophy that if children feel loved and trust those who care for them, learning comes naturally. Each day I get to work with the wonderful ladies who make up our FPCCCC family—Ms. Jeanie, Ms. Tine, Ms. Shannon, and Ms. Lora. They are truly the best! God has brought me full circle by allowing me to now have the children of many of the children that I taught. I am so thankful to have had the opportunity to have been a part of the best child care/preschool program in Lincoln County!”
Ms. Cathy’s humility has led her in making differences in kids’ lives. It has never been about her. She never sought the limelight. It has always been about the kids. She has always known this was her calling. She did it with “great patience, perseverance, and love.”
May your retirement be filled with the memories of the past, the pride of a job well done, and the future of many more days to make a positive difference in people’s lives.
I love you, Sis. You are a hero to many in Fayetteville and Lincoln County that experienced the super powers of Ms. Cathy! GN
