Beverly Hart Pittman

On June 13, 1947, Frank and Eva Myers Hart welcomed their eighth child and the baby girl of the family. They named her Beverly Ann, but called her Pumpkin (Punkin/Punk) a nickname pinned to her by her brother, Frank, because as he stated, “she had a head like a pumpkin.” 

Beverly graduated from Benedict College, with a bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education. She was immensely proud to say that the United Negro College Fund financed her degree. She later obtained her master’s degree in Social Work from the University of South Carolina. 

Her jobs were those that served and helped people: Adjunct Faculty, Midlands Technical College; Director, Project REAP, W.J. Keenan High School, Richland School District One; Director, Teen Health Center, Palmetto Health District, SC Department of Health and Environmental Control; Community Program Coordinator/Social Worker, Palmetto Health District, SC Department of Health and Environmental Control; Medical Social Worker, Grady Hospital Health Center, Atlanta, GA; Housing Coordinator, Palmetto Senior Care, Columbia, SC and Instructor and Field Coordinator, Benedict College, Columbia SC.

Bethlehem Baptist Church was Beverly’s church home. Church was most enjoyable because she sat with her siblings, Frank and Agnes. She was happy to serve on the Senior Adult Missionary and found it funny to be instructed on how to cook from Mrs. Turnipseed and the other members. Calling Bingo at the Wiley Kennedy Family Life Center was a joy to her and she was always looking for prizes. She made it her mission to send cards of inspiration, encouragement and love to everyone. It brought her immense joy when someone called to thank her for thinking of them.  Even as she battled cancer and neuropathy in her hand, she would send cards, having her niece Stephanie, run to the post office to mail them. 

Her volunteer activities were centered around people and included the Wiley Kennedy Family Life Center, After-School Program; SisterCare; Richland/Lexington Alcohol and Drug Abuse Council; and the Ridgewood Foundation, Inc. 

She was an active member of professional and community organizations including National Association of Social Workers and Benedict College National Alumni Association. 

She received honors and awards that included the Living Legacy Award from the National Council of Negro Women, Inc. and the Wall of Fame Honor from the Columbia Housing Authority.

She enjoyed sewing, reading, and playing Bid Whist. Rain or shine they would play Bid Whist and be mad if they didn’t have enough people to play or someone canceled. Traveling gave her such boundless joy, going to different African countries and meeting the people was what she loved. She jokingly said she was changing her name to Zimbabwe. 

Family was extremely important to her. She always made time to visit her siblings, Frank, Agnes, Minnie Lee, and Gloria Jane. She liked being in Virginia with her daughter and favorite son-in-law, where she was waited on hand and foot. She made sure she spent time at the casino and called Stephanie for money after Tracey wouldn’t give her anymore. Scratch offs were fun for her and no matter who traveled where, she would say, “Can you bring me a scratch off I’ll pay you when you get here.” Vernon would take her to the casino in Cherokee and make stops at random gas stations so she could play her numbers. She had a beautiful smile, and it was easy to make her laugh big and loud. She liked watching Jeopardy, with Ralph 3rd, answering the questions together. Family Feud, Price is Right and Let’s Make a Deal were also game shows she yelled at. The Simpson Family fell in love with her and treated her like she was their mom and grandma, she was grateful for the blessing and the love of “All the Simpsons cause it’s a lot of y’all”, she’d say. 

Beverly is survived by: her sons, Vernon and Ralph Burton; her daughter Tracey Simpson (Frederick, Sr.); and her stepson Dimitri Pittman; grandchildren, Corey (Tiffany), Frederick, Jr., Courtney Wages (Jake), Brittany, Alexandria, Jourdan, James Taylor, and her adopted granddaughter Italia Goodwin; siblings Minnie Lee Hingleton (Frank) and Gloria Jane Burton; eight great grandchildren; three great great grandchildren; one great great great grandchild; nieces; she shared very special relationships with nieces Regina Hingleton and Stephanie Riley; nephews; other loving relatives and friends; all who loved her and was touched by her love, compassion, and generosity.  She will be truly missed.

Beverly’s time on earth is over, she is now with her heavenly Father, her parents, Frank and Eva, sisters, Joyce, Agnes “Pudin” and Ethel Magnolia, brothers Frank “Boy” (Bev), Willie James, and Harold, and nephews Cyrus and Carl. They were waiting for her and now the laughter is a little louder, let’s be honest, alot louder.

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