John Wesley Pitts passed away peacefully at his home Sunday, Oct. 24, 2010, at the age of 92. Funeral services will be at 1 p.m. today at Carnes Baptist Church. He will lie in state at the church from 11 a.m. until the hour of the service. The Rev. Hubert Swindall and the Rev. Jerry Ponder will be officiating. Burial will be at Crestwood Cemetery. Crestwood Funeral Home directing.Dad was preceded in death by his beloved wife, Jewell Keown Pitts; his parents, Matthew Clayton and Cora Horne Pitts; two brothers and three sisters; and his cherished daughter-in-law, Janet Pitts; and special friend, Judy Gilmore. Dad served on the carrier USS Inch Destroyer with the U.S. Navy and also retired as a new construction welding foreman from Republic Steel in 1978 after 30 years of service. His calling in life was his woodworking. He is known for his Victorian Fretwork and can be seen in several areas of Alabama. He is a member of Carnes Baptist Church and along with his brother, Thomas Pitts, was responsible for planting and building several churches in the area. Dad was an avid Braves and Alabama football fan. He had a tremendous love for all his family and friends and loved sharing old stories and never forgot any of the details. He leaves to cherish his memory, James W. Pitts (Glendora), Barbara (Hubert) Swindall, Larry Pitts (Kay), Maria (Robert) Kilgore and Sara (Ed) Kidd. He is also survived by 12 grandchildren; 21 great-grandchildren; chosen daughters, Novice (Arlin) Taylor, Abby Kell and Julia Scott; and a host of nephews and nieces. His grandsons, Phil Swindall, Ron Swindall, Clay Pitts, Todd Pitts, Jeff Pitts, Greg Pitts and Mark Kidd, and chosen grandsons, Kevin Davis and Jason Leftwich, will serve as pallbearers. Honorary pallbearers will be the deacons and friends at Carnes Baptist Church, Dan Butler, Tom Gilmore, Pastor Tommy Bellew, and friends from Republic Steel. A special thanks to Dr. H. Patel for his love and concern, the seventh floor of Gadsden Regional Hospital, Gadsden Rehab and Jennifer at Alacare hospice for all your care during his illness. A special thanks to Patsy Hammonds for her caregiving during this time.