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IN THE CARE OF
Beverly Rene’ Harwood Pittman was born on February 4, 1954 and died peacefully April 11, 2023.
She was the daughter of Bill and Lynn Harwood of Pampa, TX. She grew up with her sister Marsha and her brother, Steve, in Pampa, TX. At Pampa High School, she was an accomplished clarinet player as well as playing in the Harvester Band, before graduating in 1972. After graduating High School, she went on to West Texas State University, where she was a member of Kappa Delta Sorority, and graduated with a degree in speech pathology in 1976. While in college, Rene’ met the love of her like, Mike Pittman, of Lefors Texas. Mike and Rene’ were married on June 4th 1977 and were married 33 years before Mike’s passing in August 2010. Mike and Rene’s celebrated the birth of their first child, James on February 26, 1980. Two years later, a daughter arrived, Kelly, on May 14th, 1982.
Rene’ was a devoted special education teacher for over 30 years, having served most of those years at South Lawn Elementary in Amarillo, TX. During that time, she taught countless students to achieve their goals in learning through reading, writing, and speech. Her long term connections with teachers at South Lawn lead to life long friendships and memories.
While teaching, Rene’ was an active member of Delta Kappa Gamma, teaching society. Through those years at DKG she served on numerous committees and was an officer at state and local levels. She spent countless hours organizing and preparing for numerous events, including state conventions where she was known to have volunteered to make the decorations for the tables. Rene’s philanthropic work through DKG included helping with a scholarship fund, helping schools, and developing and encouraging leadership in education. Her level of dedication will be felt for many years to come.
Rene’ was a devoted member of Trinity United Methodist Church for a majority of her life. She loved being Methodist and serving others. Rene’ served on numerous boards at the church as well as being the choir director for over two decades. Members at Trinity have heard Rene’ sing O Holy Night on Christmas and How Great Though Art annually for as long as James and Kelly can remember. She was a vital part of the ministry at Trinity.
Rene’ was married to Mike for 33 years before his passing in August of 2010. Rene’ was a caring and loving mother to her children, grandchildren, and nieces and nephews. Her unwavering support of her children cannot be described with words alone. She attended all the events her kids participated in. Her unwavering support of her children lead to helping many other children and families through working concession stands, baking her famous cookies, and being the mom that we all needed.
Rene’ was an amazing sister and friend. Her love was felt and laughter was heard in countless hearts. She was kind, committed, supportive, and present. To be Rene’s friend, was to be loved indeed. To Penny, Sherri, Luinda, Becky, Barbara, and South Lawn Old Timers group we love you forever and ever.
There is a long tradition in the Harwood family of watching the Dallas Cowboys, Duke Basketball, and the Texas Longhorns. She loved her sister, Marsha, and brother-in-law, Jim very much. Rene’ loved to help at branding time at the ranch helping Marsha with cooking and helping give Jim a hard time. She loved watching her niece Carley Jo at all the rodeos whether it was local ones or the National Finals. Even up in Calgary Canada, she helped and cheered for Carley every chance she got. She loved coming to visit her grandsons Bryan and Brandon Mills in Oklahoma at least once a month and helping her daughter Kelly every chance she could, talking to Kelly almost every day no matter what. Rene’ provided unwavering support for her son in law, Nathan as he became an Ordained Elder in the United Methodist Church, and serves as an Active Duty Army Chaplain. Rene’ loved watching sports with her son James and would root for Texas Tech when they weren’t playing Texas. Because she loved him, she could even say “Wreck em Tech” if she had to. She loved her daughter-in-law, Michelle and was glad to help and support her, a teacher as well, with anything needed for her classroom. She loved seeing her granddaughter Emma Pittman and grandson Nate Pittman perform in the Nutcracker every Christmas in Amarillo, and she loved seeing them perform or play sports as often as possible. She loved her parents, her brother, uncles, aunts, cousins, nieces, and nephew.
She was a helper to the core. That was the biggest way she showed love. Through teaching, through serving in Delta Kappa Gamma, through serving as choir director, making mints and coordinating wedding, through United Methodist Women, as well as anywhere else she could, Rene’ helped.
More than all the things she liked to do, Rene’ loved all of us. We know this because she showed us with her acts of service, with her gifts, often baked, with her words and support, with her time, and with her affection. The impact she on this world is incalculable, though slightly measurable, through the miles on her van and her travel! To say she will be missed, does not say enough. We love you, Mom.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Lynn and Bill Harwood, her in laws, Morris and Yvonne Pittman, and her husband, Mike Pittman.
Rene is survived by her sister Marsha and husband Jim Richardson, and brother Steve Harwood and wife, Terrie, as well as nieces and nephews.
She is also survived by her children James Pittman, his wife Michelle, and her grandchildren Emma and Nate. Her daughter Kelly Mills, husband Nathan, and her grandchildren Bryan and Brandon. https://www.dignitymemorial.com/obituaries/amarillo-tx/rene-pittman
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