Katherine "Kate" Conrad Pitts

With profound sadness we announce the passing of Katherine “Kate” Conrad Pitts, our loving and devoted mother, on February 7, 2020, at The Rose Garden in Ridgeland, Mississippi. Kate was born in Taylorsville, Mississippi, on August 8, 1935. After graduating from Taylorsville High School, she moved to New Orleans, Louisiana, and lived with her Aunt Corrine. She worked as a switchboard operator and met her first husband, Ernest Conrad. They later moved to St. Petersburg, Florida, where they enjoyed bayfront life with their young family. When they returned to her hometown in 1972, Kate opened The Five K’s, a shop named after her four girls and her, where she sold women’s clothing, Merle Norman makeup, and, also, operated a beauty shop. In 1995, Kate moved to Laurel, Mississippi. She co-owned The Toy Shoppe and managed several other businesses. She was blessed by the fellowship of the Wesley Circle and the Emmanuel Sunday School Class at the First United Methodist Church. Kate thoroughly enjoyed attending the Laurel Little Theater productions. In 2001, Kate married Roy Pitts, a retired Master Sergeant of the U.S. Air Force. Whether she was called Kate, Katie, Miss Kate, Aunt Kate, Granny or Mama, she was known by all as a strong, and beautiful, sweet and sassy, self-sacrificing, full-of-life, classy lady who loved to entertain and always had open arms to hold babies or anyone in need. She leaves a lasting legacy of unconditional love and laughter for her beloved family and many others. Kate was preceded in death by her parents, Claude and Daisy Robinson, brothers Bob and Jimmy Robinson, husband Ernest Conrad, and husband Roy Pitts. She is survived by daughter Kim Edwards (Chuck), grandsons Chase Edwards (Rebecca), Cameron Edwards (Brandi); daughter Robin Carpenter (Jim), grandsons Kyle, Peyton and Price; daughter Kristi Ballard (Brent), granddaughters Kelsey Ballard Rogers (Neil), and Anna Ballard Fair (William); daughter Katherine Moran (Mike), grandchildren Megan Moran Pace (Ben), Michael Todd Moran (Peyton), and Max; and many great grandchildren; sisters Vera Robinson Windham, Debbie Robinson Phillips; and numerous nieces, nephews, and friends. Funeral services will be held Wednesday, February 12, 2020, at 10:00 AM with visitation beginning at 9:00 AM at Memory Chapel Funeral Home, 3100 Audubon Drive, Laurel, MS 39440, with graveside service to follow at Lake Park Hills Cemetery. Donations may be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. To sign the online guest book, visit www.memorychapellaurel.com.

Katherine "Kate" Conrad Pitts

August 8, 1935 - February 7, 2020