Barbara Schoonover Pittman, 87 – a thankful and luminous spirit in this world -- passed away peacefully on March 16, 2023, at St. Catherine’s Village, Marion Hall in Madison, Miss.
Known for her perseverance, positive outlook and fun-loving energy, Barbara battled cancer with courage three separate times, each without complaint, always able to see the candle in the distance and the goodness of life. She knew to reap the most from that life required optimism and endurance in the face of everyday challenges, coupled with her faith in God.
Barbara was born in 1935, in Oklahoma City, the third of four daughters born to Lindley D. and Helen Holaday Schoonover. She grew up in Louise, Miss. She graduated from Mississippi State College for Women before earning a Master of Science degree from Florida State University and an Educational Specialist degree from Mississippi State University.
She is survived by her son, Harrison Victor Pittman, III and daughter, Laura Allison Pittman, both of Madison County as well as two sisters: Mrs. Joan (Benoit) Holloway and Mrs. Madge (Jim) Fletcher; and numerous nieces and nephews. She met her husband of over fifty years, Dr. Harrison V. Pittman, Jr., in Korea, where he was serving in the Army and she was Program Director for The American Red Cross. They were married in 1962 and lived most of their adult life in Yazoo City. He preceded her in death in 2015. She is also preceded in death by her sister, Lynne Schoonover Harris (John Ed).
The success of her community and the well-being of her neighbors, youth and women were of high importance to Barbara, as evidenced by her service in numerous volunteer and professional leadership capacities. They included Girl Scouts, Boy Scouts, American and Yazoo County Red Cross, Mississippi YWCA, Yazoo Newcomers Club, Yazoo Art Association, Garden Club and Daughters of the American Revolution. She served twelve years as a National Board Member of the YWCA of the USA. In addition, she was involved in summer camp programs at Camp Desoto, Camp Burgess Glen and Camp Rockbrook. She began her career in Education, starting as a Graduate Teaching Assistant at Florida State University. She taught at Yazoo Public Schools and ended as Principal of St. Clara Academy in Yazoo City. She was a member of First United Methodist Church in Yazoo City where she served in various volunteer leadership roles, in addition to being involved with numerous volunteer youth activities.
Later in life, Barbara became an accomplished and dedicated licensed marriage and family therapist and a licensed professional mental health counselor. She maintained a private practice, New Horizons Counseling Center, in Yazoo City and Jackson for more than two decades. She served as president of both the Mississippi Clinical Mental Health Counselors Association and the Mississippi Association for Marriage and Family Therapy. She served on the board of the Mississippi Counseling Association and on the Mississippi Board of Examiners for Licensed Professional Counselors. She was chair and co-organizer of Private Practitioners of Mississippi. In 2000, she was named the Mental Health Counselor of the Year by the Mississippi Counselors Association. Following her retirement, she worked as a part-time staff member with Three Oaks Behavioral Health Out-Patient Center in Ridgeland.
Barbara had a special place in her heart for animals and had many strays she brought home as a child, much to her parents’ dismay. The Pittman household always included furry family members. The beauty she saw around her was reflected in her love of nature, plants, traveling, and birdwatching, an endeavor she enjoyed with her lifelong friend from childhood, Linda Barrack. She was athletic most of her life and participated in track, basketball, swimming, tennis, and golf. She taught Physical Education classes as well as tennis and swimming outside the classroom. Being with her children, family, sisters and friends bought her great joy as well as her faith in God. She was always open to new challenges and opportunities and enjoyed everything artistic, which led her to learning how to paint and draw, make jewelry, create stained glass, and even wood working.
The last nine years of her life were spent in the loving community of St. Catherine’s Retirement Village, where she met and enjoyed many new friendships, first in independent living and later in assisted living at Marion Hall. She also was a member of Madison Methodist Church and enjoyed visiting and studying the Word of God with her Sunday school class.
Barbara’s children are especially thankful and grateful for the love, care and attention that was shown to their mother by the caregiving staff at Marion Hall, St. Catherine’s Village. They went above and beyond in giving and showing dignity, kindness, laughter and love, especially in the weeks preceding her passing. They would also like to thank Covenant Caregivers and Hospice Ministries for all the love and care shown to her. Special thanks also to Trey Sebrell and staff at Sebrell Funeral Home and Pastor Ben Butler and Madison Methodist Church.
A celebration of her life will be held at Madison Methodist Church in Madison, MS on Thursday, March 23, 2023 with visitation starting at 9:00 a.m. followed by Memorial at 10:00 a.m. Graveside will be at 1:30 at Glenwood Cemetery in Yazoo City for those that would like to attend. Sebrell Funeral Home in Ridgeland, MS will handle the arrangements. A separate Memorial Service will be held at St. Catherine’s Chapel for those who may not be able to attend at Madison Methodist Church.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to organizations that serve children or animals in need. Before her death, Barbara asked that any flowers in her memory be sent to brighten the days of those who reside in nursing homes.
Business casual attire. Feel free to wear color as Barbara loved it as well.
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