Married: Johnnie Jean Hooks on May 25, 1957 in Kenly, NC
Harvey Alton "H.A." PittmanHarvey Alton "H.A." Pittman
was born April 19, 1937, and died May 16, 2001. He married Johnnie Jean Hooks on May 25, 1957.
H.A.'s child with Johnnie Jean Hooks Pittman
Kandy Jean Pittman
Harvey Alton Pittman and Johnnie Jean Hooks Pittman were married for nearly 44 years.
Courtesy Stancil Reunion Archive
Harvey Alton "H.A." Pittman and Johnnie Jean Hooks Pittman shared a profound connection that began in their high school years, growing into a devoted partnership spanning over four decades. Their lives, rooted in North Carolina and blossoming in Virginia, were characterized by hard work, strong family bonds, deep faith, and a shared commitment to community.
Early Lives and Growing Up
Harvey Alton Pittman was born on April 19, 1937, in Kenly, North Carolina. He was the seventh child of Fletcher and Gertrude Stancil Pittman. H.A. grew up alongside his many siblings: Gertie Mae, Mable Irene, Arnold Webster, Ruth Elder, Billy Royce, Thomas Rex, Anne, George "Mac," and Jennifer Kaye.
H.A. was an active and engaged student throughout his school years. He excelled in sports, playing both basketball and baseball, and participated in the class play. He was a member of 4-H and the Future Farmers of America (F.F.A.), and his popularity was evident when he was voted a senior superlative. His playful personality was captured in his graduation page quote: "I can resist everything but temptation!" H.A. graduated in 1955.
Johnnie Jean Hooks was born on December 16, 1938, in Wayne County, North Carolina. She grew up on a farm in the Great Swamp Community of Wayne County, the daughter of John Henry Hooks and Beatrice Lorena Holland. Johnnie, too, was an active and accomplished student at Kenly High School. As a junior, she served as class treasurer and was a member of the Beta Club and Future Homemakers of America. Her senior class voted her "most likely to succeed."
High School Sweethearts and Marriage
H.A. and Johnnie Jean's paths converged at the Corner Grill in Kenly, a popular teen hangout spot. Although H.A. attended Glendale High School in rural Johnston County and Johnnie attended Kenly High School, they began dating and frequented school events at both institutions.
After H.A.'s graduation in 1955, he sought a good paying job and moved to Newport News, Virginia, where he lived with his sister Anne and her husband, Billy Ray Howard. He secured employment at the Newport News Shipyard. Johnnie Jean, still with two years left at Kenly High School, stayed in touch with H.A. Their love deepened, and they made plans to marry once she graduated in 1957.
Their plans came to fruition when they married on May 25, 1957, at the Presbyterian Church in Kenly, North Carolina. Among those attending were H.A.'s sister Anne and Billy Ray Howard.
Building a Life in Virginia
H.A. with wife Johnnie and daughter Kandy.
Courtesy Stancil Reunion Archive
Following their marriage, Johnnie worked in Raleigh for the State of North Carolina while H.A. located an apartment for them in Newport News. Their family grew with the arrival of their daughter, Kandy Jean Pittman, in November 1960.
H.A. was employed at the Newport News Shipyard, working in Quality Control in the Machine Shop, a testament to his precision and expertise. Around 1963, Johnnie began her career at the Noland Company, a large distributor of industrial and construction supplies located across 11 states. A smart, dedicated, dependable, and hard-working employee, Johnnie worked in the data recording department until her retirement, where her expertise was greatly missed.
Despite their new life in Virginia, Johnnie and H.A. frequently visited Kenly to see family and friends. H.A., an avid deer hunter, joined the Kenly Hunting Club, alongside his brother Mac, brother-in-law Buck Buchanan, and James Langston. They shared many enjoyable weekends filled with conversation and hunting. Johnnie Jean's first Stancil Reunion was in 1970, which she attended with H.A. and Kandy.
The couple found their spiritual home and a welcoming community at Liberty Baptist Church in Hampton, Virginia. They became devoted and active members for many years, appreciating the Bible-based teachings. Johnnie particularly cherished attending Wednesday night services, where she formed many lasting friendships.
Later Years and Enduring Legacy
H.A. faced a long battle with cancer. He passed away at home on May 16, 2001, in Hampton, Virginia, with his beloved Johnnie by his side. He was laid to rest in Peninsula Memorial Park in Newport News, Virginia.
After H.A.'s passing, Johnnie continued to embody kindness and selflessness. She took immense pride in her home, keeping it spotless and always ready to welcome guests. She was widely appreciated for her kindness and helpfulness, constantly looking for ways to assist others and prioritizing their needs above her own. Her focus was always outwardly on "YOU," never on herself. Johnnie enjoyed reading and, in her later years, found new pleasures in playing cards and traveling with friends.
Johnnie Jean Hooks Pittman, mother of Kandy and grandmother of John Zachary and Matthew, passed away on September 25, 2016, at the age of 77. She had been diagnosed with a malignant brain tumor in April, and her family shared that "Her grace, beauty and love never wavered during her fight with cancer." She is buried next to her beloved H.A. in Peninsula Memorial Park.
In Remembrance
Grandson John Zachary Axsom beautifully articulated his feelings:
How lucky am I to have something that makes saying goodbye so hard. This morning God called home one of the best women I have ever known, my granny. She fought a good fight and left this world gracefully just as she lived her life. I cannot even begin to put into words how grateful I am to have had her in my life for 33 years. She never missed a birthday or special occasion. She was always so proud of me and was right by my side to celebrate my accomplishments. She filled our lives with so much joy and happiness. She will be so greatly missed but I am so happy for the reunion that took place in heaven this morning. My great Granny Hooks, my Granny Shirley and my Granny Johnny Jean are all together again.
Grandson John Zachary Axsom
The lives of H.A. and Johnnie Jean Pittman stand as a testament to their deep love, their strong work ethic, their unwavering faith, and their boundless kindness to all who knew them.
Harvey Alton Pittman
