Eleanor L. Pittman

Eleanor L Pittman, beloved wife, mother, and grandmother passed away peacefully at home surrounded by family on Wednesday, August 20th at age 96. She was born January 8th,1929 to Hez and Ora Lee Paul in Rochester, Texas and grew up in Port Lavaca, Texas.

As a youngster growing up during the Great Depression, money was scarce, but love was abundant. Her family ran a laundry business at their small home. Eleanor was an only child and was so loved and cherished by her parents. She loved living by the bay and often told stories of how much fun she had fishing and crabbing with her dad or turning laundry washbins into makeshift boats that she’d paddle around with her friends, using driftwood for oars.

A phrase that Eleanor remembered well from her childhood was something her mother used to tell her: “To make a friend, you have to be a friend.” She must have taken that to heart, because Eleanor was a friend to all. There was never a sweeter, more generous and loving soul, whose kindness touched all who knew her. 

In high school, Eleanor was very active. She played the drums in band, played basketball, and was a class officer and member of the student council. In her senior year at Port Lavaca High School, she was voted “Best All-Around” by her classmates and graduated in 1947.  

In the early 1950s, Eleanor worked as a bank teller in Port Lavaca. One of her regular customers, a young WWII veteran, instantly took a liking to her. On October 31, 1952, she married Austin C. Pittman, the love of her life. In 1967, Austin and Eleanor moved to Lockhart, Texas where they started a ranch, raised their family, and became pillars of the community. 

In their 67 years together, Eleanor and Austin had 6 children, 13 grandchildren, 20 great grandchildren, and 4 great great grandchildren; all of whom they loved dearly. Known by her family as Nannie, Eleanor always had love to give. Her door was open to anyone who needed a helping hand. No matter what her family members were going through (or what kind of trouble her kids got into), she would say “It’s not my place to judge,” and would open her home and heart to them, offering unconditional love and support.

Just as she loved her family, Eleanor loved God, her community, her neighbors, and her friends. She was a faithful member of the First Christian Church for over 50 years, was active in the Christian Women’s Fellowship, and volunteered for programs like Meals on Wheels.

Eleanor and Austin enjoyed making wonderful memories together traveling across the country, from Colorado to Hawaii to Alaska. Back home, Eleanor loved sitting on the patio with Austin…sipping coffee, watching birds, taking care of her cats, or seeing her grandchildren play. Ever the loving matriarch, she made her home into the central gathering place for all her family to come together and enjoy holidays and events. Eleanor loved playing cards and dominoes. She enjoyed being a member of the Bridge club for many years and made lots of great memories playing games like Spades, 42, Shoot the Moon and Skip-Bo with her family.

Eleanor was preceded in death by her husband, Austin C. Pittman, her parents Hez and Ora Lee Paul, her daughter-in-law Linda Pittman, and granddaughter Heather Pittman.

Eleanor is survived by her son Austin T. Pittman, son Gary Pittman (Jan), son Paul Pittman (Carolyn), daughter Martha Sanders (Russell), daughter Mary Voigt, son David Pittman (Jennifer), and her many grandchildren, nieces and nephews.  

Eleanor’s family thanks the loving team at Suncrest Hospice, especially Allie and Noami, as well as her sweet caregivers Pam and Hope, all of whom adored Eleanor and affectionately called her Nannie.  Heaven has a new angel – one whose love, generosity, and gentle spirit will continue to live on through all who were blessed to know her. We love you Nannie.  

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the First Christian Church of Lockhart or your favorite charity. 

A visitation was held on Sunday August 24, 2025, from 4-6PM, at McCurdy Funeral Home. Funeral services were held on Monday, August 25, 2025, at 10AM, at First Christian Church. Burial followed to Lockhart City Cemetery.