Virgie Pauline Pittman

Virgie Pauline Pittman, born on November 24, 1935, in Polk County, Texas, departed this world on September 15, 2024. She loved her community and found great joy in the roles she played throughout her life. For over a decade, Pauline owned and operated The Shepherd Dairy Mart, a beloved local establishment where she built lasting relationships with the women she employed. The love and camaraderie she had with her employees lives on in the community today—a testament to her nurturing spirit and dedication as a business owner.

 Pauline was not just a businesswoman; she was a remarkable cook, known for preparing heartwarming meals that brought her family together. Her good Southern cooking was a source of pride, and every dish she served was made with love and warmth. Her children remember several of her dishes that they loved to eat: barbecued venison ribs, duck dressing, fried okra, and pineapple upside-down cake. As a devoted Mawmaw, she lit up at the sight of her grandchildren. Pauline also found joy in babysitting and helping to raise several children in the Shepherd community. Her home was a place of laughter, fun, and the sounds of family, especially as she watched her grandchildren and great-grandchildren excel in their sporting and extracurricular interests. She was also a big fan of the Houston Astros.

 Pauline was a faithful member of Good Shepherd Baptist Church in Shepherd, Texas. Her steadfast faith and commitment to God inspired everyone around her, as she instilled Christian values in her children and grandchildren. She was truly a woman of God, and a faithful servant; her love for Jesus was evident in every aspect of her life.

 Her life took a bittersweet turn with the passing of her son, Don Pittman in 1978, and the loss of her beloved husband, Leon Pittman in 2012. She is also preceded in death by her parents, James M. Casteel and Lizzie Edith Gill Casteel, her great-granddaughter, Kyleigh Pittman, and her siblings: JM Casteel, Mable Lyle, Charles Casteel, Raymond Casteel, Freda Baker, Claudia LaCalli, and Leona Dunn. Each of these family members held a special place in her heart, and their memories will forever be cherished by those who remain.

Pauline is survived by her loving children, Sandy Irwin and her husband Richie, and Doug Pittman and his wife Mary Ann. The light of her life will continue in the hearts of her grandchildren: Rich Irwin and fiancée Kaitlyn, Ginger Pippin and husband Roy, Jason Pittman and wife Kat, and Jeffrey Pittman and fiancée Adrian. Her legacy lives on through her great-grandchildren, Clint, Caleigh, Carter, Madeleine, Luke, Teegan, Brookleigh, Tinlee, Madelynn, Dominick, Tiana, and Brycen, along with numerous nieces and nephews who will all carry her memory forward. 

As family and friends gather to honor this remarkable woman, her spirit will shine through the love shared among them—people who saw her acts of kindness, hospitality, and hard work. Visitation will be held on September 21, 2024, from 1 PM to 2 PM, followed by a funeral service beginning at 2 PM at Neal Funeral Home in Cleveland, Texas. Interment will follow at Menard Chapel Cemetery in Livingston, Texas. 

In the tapestry of life, Virgie Pauline Pittman wove threads of love, care, and warmth that touched the hearts of many. Her legacy will forever echo in the stories shared, the meals prepared, and the love given unconditionally. She will be missed dearly but remembered fondly by all those whose lives she enriched.

 In lieu of flowers, the family kindly asks that donations be made to Good Shepherd Baptist Church, Post Office Box 957, Shepherd, Texas 77371.