Loretta L. Pittman

HOUSTON — Loretta Lee Pittman, 102, of Houston, died May 18, 2026.

Born Feb. 8, 1924, in Garland County, Arkansas, she grew up in Depression-era Hot Springs and, in 1942, became the first in her family to earn a high school diploma, graduating from Hot Springs High School.

One month later, she married James Arnold Pittman. Their early years moved with the war, from the Great Lakes Naval Training Station to San Francisco, before the family settled in Houston in 1958.

Loretta enjoyed a long career with Continental Oil Company (Conoco), rising to executive assistant to the CEO and later community relations director, retiring in 1985.

A woman of deep faith, she was a longtime member of First Baptist Church, Spring Branch and Tallowood Baptist Church and in later years attended Spring Branch Presbyterian Church. She gave generously to the YMCA, MHMR, and Memorial Assistance Ministries, and for many years took part in the Houston Symphony's Very Merry Pops Christmas Concert at Jones Hall. Funny, devout and hardworking, she loved a parade, a good cup of coffee, and the red, white and blue.

She was preceded in death by her husband, James Arnold Pittman; her son, Kenneth Marshall "Ken" Pittman; her sister, Jewell; and her brothers, Ed and Albert. She is survived by her daughter, Anita "Nita" Van Alstyne (John); five grandchildren; nine great-grandchildren; and four great-great-grandchildren.

A Celebration of Life was held June 20, 2026, at Hillier Funeral Home, College Station.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to Memorial Assistance Ministries.

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