Bettie J. Pitchford

September 3, 1944 - September 8, 2020

PITCHFORD, Mrs. Bettie J. age 76 passed away Tuesday, September 8, 2020 at Canterbury on the Lake in Waterford Township, MI. Funeral Service 11:00 AM Wednesday, September 16, 2020 from the Chapel of Lawrence E. Moon Funeral Home, 268 N. Perry St. Friends and family will assemble at the funeral home 11:00 AM Wednesday. Mrs. Pitchford will lie in the Chapel of Lawrence E. Moon Funeral Home, 268 N. Perry St. and may be viewed from 12:00-6:00PM Tuesday. Mrs. Pitchford leaves to cherish her memory, her husband, George T. Pitchford; children, Veronda J. Pitchford and George K. (Rhonda M.) Pitchford; grandchildren, Avery G. Pitchford and George P. Pitchford; aunt, Helen Ashe; special cousin, Gloria Outland; Goddaughter, Kimberly S. Hampton; and a host of other relatives and friends. After receiving her Bachelor’s degree in business from Elizabeth City State University, Bettie began her career as a high school business teacher in Maryland before moving to Pontiac. She didn’t spend very long teaching business in Pontiac schools before finding her true calling after obtaining a special education teaching certification. Bettie spent many years teaching in special education where she delighted in mentoring and working with students beyond the normal working hours. After reluctantly being promoted out of the classroom, she settled comfortably into administrative special education work. She retired from the Pontiac schools as Director of Special Education. Many in the community will remember her for the countless projects and hobbies she took on always wanting to involve friends and colleagues. Bettie was ever so proud to have been one of the charter members of the Pontiac Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. She Attended Detroit Unity Temple Church where she served as a greeter, the ever present house manager for Detroit Unity Theater, volunteered for Kwanzaa and also served as chairperson for Circulation Day where free clothes were distributed to the needy. Bettie derived great joy in taking on new hobbies such as quilting, calligraphy, walking in marathons and being “Bappy”, a clown character she created and performed at events for small children. Due to COVID 19, Attendance for the Funeral Service is Limited to Invitees Only. When pandemic conditions are no longer with us, a more formal Memorial Celebrating the life of Bettie Jean Pitchford will be held. Mrs. Pitchford was preceded in death by her mother, Virginia Spruill. At Lawrence E. Moon Funeral Home, we value the safety and health of our customers, staff and the general public. Therefore, we will adhere to EXECUTIVE ORDER No. 2020-11 issued by our Governor Gretchen Whitmer, regarding assemblages in the wake of the unprecedented health challenge our state and nation is facing. The Executive Order is as follows: Acting under the Michigan Constitution of 1963 and Michigan law, I order the following: 1. Beginning on April 10, 2020 at 9:00 am, and Continuing Until Further Notice. All assemblages of more than 10 people in a single indoor shared space and all events of more than 10 people are prohibited in this state. A single indoor shared space includes but is not limited to a room, hall, cafeteria, auditorium, theater, or gallery. The prohibition on assemblages set forth in this section does not apply to: We do understand that this may pose a challenge to you and your family, but our dedicated staff is here to help guide you towards making the best decisions in memorializing your loved one.