MAGNOLIA — Mickey Sue Horne Pittman, 89,
of Magnolia, arose to meet her Savior on November 8, 2020, at her home.
Mickey was born January 28, 1931, in Prescott, Ark., to the late Samuel Thurman (S.T.) and Cyrene Emery Horne. At an early age, she moved to Magnolia where she graduated from Magnolia High School, attended Magnolia A&M (now Southern Arkansas University), met and, in 1948, married Donald Pittman; they were married 54 years before his death in 2002. Together they founded Pittman Nursery and Floral Company. With her floral skills, Mickey enhanced countless weddings, events and parties in South Arkansas and proudly served as president of the Arkansas Florist Association. After retirement, Mickey and Donald traveled the world, losing count of the number of countries they visited. They crossed the Atlantic Ocean 18 times and the Pacific 12. With her love for Magnolia, she was involved with the Chamber of Commerce, Magnolia Boys’ and Girls’ Club, Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts, was a past president of the Magnolia Junior Charity League and President of Magnolia Memorial Park Cemetery. A dedicated member of First United Methodist Church since the age of 17, Mickey was a member of Circle 1, Leland Clegg Sunday School class, past Sunday School teacher and served on every committee at some point. Seeing a community need to feed the hungry, she was instrumental in the founding of the Stew Pot. She also loved Southern Arkansas University and served on the first SAU Foundation Board of Governors. Together with Donald, she established and fulfilled several endowment scholarships to aid SAU students with their education. As a tribute to her father and all other volunteer firefighters, Mickey commissioned the statue of Sparky, the firefighter mascot that still stands at the Magnolia Fire Department. She also enjoyed dressing Sparky for special holidays and during the Magnolia Blossom Festival. Until just two years ago, Mickey loved surprising people with her made from scratch cookies, hoping to put a smile on someone’s face. She will be remembered as a courteous, gracious, and thoughtful lady who always put others before herself.
Mickey was preceded in death by her parents; her husband; two sisters, Mary Nelle Mattox and Margie Short; and a granddaughter, Jessica Kinnaird.
She is survived by her children, Donna S. Pittman of Magnolia, David Pittman and wife Gayle of Marietta Texas, Dixie Pittman of Magnolia; special son, Dawood Aydani and family; grandchildren, Joel Eben Pittman, Emily Pittman, Mak Kinnaird, Wendi Pittman, Samantha Sanders (Kyle) and Josh Skiles (Holly); great-grandchildren David Lee Aiden and Lilli Pittman, Baylee and Bentlee Kinnaird, Karter and Kenley Sanders, Ian Elliott, Mason, Reagan and Emma Skiles; brother, George Edward “Buddy” Horne (Carla); brother-in-law, Charles Mattox; close cousin, Jerry Horne; numerous nieces and nephews; and her special daughters, Allison, Sandi, Lawanda and Brenda.
The family thanks her caregivers, Mary Champ, Angelia Johnson, Geneva Rickert and everyone at Lifetouch Hospice. Although the last few years have been a great challenge, Mickey kept a smile and continued to know that God is good, all the time.
Graveside services will be held on Wednesday, November 11, 2020, at 11 a.m., at the Magnolia Memorial Park Cemetery with Rev. Gary Maskell officiating under the direction of Lewis Funeral Home, Inc. in Magnolia. Visitation will be Tuesday, from 5 to 7 p.m., at the funeral home. Masks are required.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the First United Methodist Church of Magnolia, SAU Foundation, or a charity of the donor’s choice. To sign the online guest book or to share a memory visit www.lewisfuneralhome.biz.