TUPELO – Doris Jean Brannan Pittman, 97, died at the Martin House, located at the Greenhouses in Tupelo, MS, on Thursday, June 3, 2025. Doris Jean was a beloved Tupelo citizen, community activist and will always be remembered as a lady who loved helping others, entertaining and dancing. Doris was born December 2, 1927, in Memphis TN to Wilma Gladys King Brannan and Emmett Sale Brannan. The family moved to Clarksdale MS in 1933 where she attended school, played in the band and orchestra, and knitted sweaters for the Red Cross during World War II. She graduated from Sunflower Jr. College.

After studying Nursing at St. Joseph Hospital in Memphis TN, she returned to Clarksdale where she worked as a private duty nurse and long-distance operator. She met and married Robert Daniel Pittman, had three children, then relocated to Oxford MS where she was active as Den Mother for the Cub Scouts, Boy Scouts Merit Counselor, and president of the PTA. The family then moved to Tupelo, MS, where she was a school volunteer, PTO officer, and active member with the Thursday Culture Club, Women’s Club of Tupelo, and Telephone Pioneers. She served at the Election Polls (19 years), on the Lee County Library Board, the Hospital Auxiliary (27 years), a Shepherd Center Volunteer, and on the Tupelo Planning Commission (over 30 years). Doris Jean served over 40 years as a board member of the Regional Rehabilitation Center. She was active in the Young at Heart Club, Ballroom Dance Club, and the Navy 24 Battalion Seabees Ladies group. Doris was a master quilter and crocheter.

Visitation will be on Thursday, June 5, 2025, at 3 PM, with service following at 4 PM in the Sadie Holland Memorial Chapel of Holland Funeral Directors in Tupelo with Rev. Amber Lee Gray officiating. A private burial will follow at Tupelo Memorial Gardens.

Survivors include her son, Robert Daniel “Bob” Pittman (Paula), and daughter, Margaret Peel (Hal), all of Tupelo; daughter-in-law Betty Ruth Pittman; 8 grandchildren, Dana Miller (Chris), Hal Peel IV, Brian Pittman, Jeffry Peel (Rebecca), Afton Johnson, Amanda Barnett (Mark), Michelle White, Lisa Cole, and many great-grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Robert Daniel Pittman Sr.; son, James “Jim” Pittman; her mother, Wilma Gladys Brannan, and father, Emmett Sale Brannan; sister, Joyce Spooner, and brother, Henry Brannan.

Pallbearers will be Jeffry Peel, Chris Miller, Matthew Pittman, Christopher Pittman, Mitchell “Jake” Miller, and Robby Parman.

The family would like to express sincere gratitude to all her friends, and the caregivers for their unwavering love, support, and care during Doris Jean’s time of need.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations in her honor to the Regional Rehabilitation Center, 615 Pegram Dr., Tupelo, MS 38801. The service may be viewed Thursday at 4 PM or anytime thereafter via livestreaming at hollandfuneraldirectors.com/live-streaming.