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By Guest Columnist Donna Haney
MEANSVILLE - What are the odds that two residents in little Pike County, Georgia would reach the century mark in the same month? As Mrs. Alice Crayton will attest, I never was a math whiz kid, so I am going to let you figure it out. There are approximately 320 million citizens in the United States. The population of Pike County is about 18,000. There are approximately 55,000 people in the United States who are 100 years old or older. This is not just an exercise for your brain. This is actually happening in our county this month. I suspect that Pike County may have another resident or two who are 100, but I doubt we have two of our elders who have turned 100 years young within nine days of each other.
On Aug. 11 of 1915, Ruby Pasley Pitts was born at home in Upson County to Lorena Brown Pasley and Southern Preston Pasley. She was the first of four children and the only one still living. As a young child, Ruby and her family moved to Pike County to work on Mr. Thurston Dickens’ farm. It was during this time that Ruby and Helen Mangham became acquainted as schoolmates. Later, the family moved to Griffin and then back to Pike County to farm with Mr. Walter B. Brown (Lorena’s father). A few years later, they purchased their own farm on Vega Road. Farm life was hard but my grandmother still speaks of the pride her father had when he could say he owned and farmed his own land. During her teenage years, Ruby worked at the local pepper canning plan and actually purchased her family’s first automobile. That set her back the grand sum of $25.
In those days, local schools only went through the tenth grade. Ruby was a very good student and family members encouraged her to attend Franklin Springs Institute in Franklin Springs, Georgia for her final year of school. It is now Emmanuel College. She was given a scholarship to attend for the 1934-35 school year. She did well in school, but her heart was back in Pike County. You see, in November of 1934, she became engaged to Mr. Farris Isaiah Pitts.
Ruby and Isaiah were married in July of 1935. Life was tough for this young couple, as it was for many during that time. They moved a few times between Pike and Upson counties but finally settled in Pike County on Vega Road across from her parents. Isaiah worked, first for Martha Mills, until he refused to work on Sundays. They were dedicated members of Mt. Gap Pentecostal Holiness Church and Isaiah was determined to be a proper example for his family. He later worked at Thomaston Mills until he retired. During most of this time, they farmed as well. Ruby worked outside the home after her children reached school age. She went to work at Carter’s Mill in Barnesville and worked there for many years until her retirement in 1977.
Ruby and Isaiah were blessed with four children, two of which were born Aug. 11 as well. Her children include Martha Pitts Dennis of Griffin, Alton Pitts of Meansville, Elaine Pitts Haney of Meansville and Judy Pitts Tea of Leads, Alabama. She has 11 grandchildren, six of whom live in Pike County. She has 28 great-grandchildren and 16 of them live in Pike County.
Raising children, farming and working at Carter’s Mill took up much of Ruby’s time but she has enjoyed sewing, not just out of necessity but for pleasure as well. She made much of her children’s clothing over the years. She has made all her children and grandchildren quilts by hand and each great-grandchild received a pillow and baby quilt at birth. Her hand-sewn quilts are pieces of art. Another hobby that she has had over the years is writing. She has created plays for church youth groups and has written poetry and essays through the years. You never know what writings may be hidden away for her family to read one day.
Ruby Pasley Pitts has been called by many names during her lifetime. Her given name, Ruby, fits her perfectly. Her parents could not have picked a better name for her than that of a precious gem. She was called wife by the love of her life, Isaiah. She is called mother by four children. She is grandmother to her 11 grandchildren. Her great-grandchildren call her Grandma Ruby. Many are familiar with Proverbs chapter 31, which describes ‘the wife of noble character.’ I don’t know of anyone who would not say that this passage of scripture describes Ruby Pasley Pitts perfectly. To paraphrase verse 28, “Her children, grandchildren and great-granchildren arise and call her blessed.”
A celebration of Ruby Pasley Pitt’s life will be held on Saturday, August 8 from 2-4 p.m. in the Family Life Center of Mt. Gap Church. Family and friends will gather to congratulate her on this rare milestone.