Helen Dills-Pittman

Helen Dills-Pittman, 68 of Ridgeland, South Carolina, went to be with the Lord Saturday, October 23, 2021 at St. Joseph’s Candler Hospital in Savannah, Georgia after a courageous fight with Covid Pneumonia.  She was born and spent her early years in Greensboro, North Carolina. Helen was a proud graduate of East Carolina University graduating with a Master of Science. She joined the Gamma Sigma chapter of Kappa Delta Sorority while enrolled in East Carolina where she made sisters for life.  She was given the Miss Gracious Living Award for her exemplary work with Kappa Delta.  Helen earned a Health Education Specialist Certification from The National Commission for Health Education Credentialing, Inc. She lived a full life, owning several businesses, The Jade Tree Hotel and the Act 2 Dinner Theater in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, where she first meet the man who would later become the love of her life, Harold S. Pittman. After leaving Myrtle Beach, SC due to the destruction of Hurricane Hugo, she moved to Columbia, SC where she worked for a brief time as a guard at the State Correctional Facility. Helen, moved into her next career landing a position with Clemson University teaching Leadership Programs, she was then recruited to run a program by the University of South Carolina.  Helen worked with young females in Hampton County in a pregnancy prevention program.  Through this program Helen, with the support of many ladies in the Estill area put on a Cotillion for the young ladies, had tea parties and instructed many in the proper way to set a table. She then got a position with the Lowcountry Council of Governments where she was the Triple A Director for the Council on Aging program. Helen opened The Initial Farm, where she supplied everyone with embroidered items for many years. Helen was recruited by then Senator Clementa Pinckney and House of Representative Thayer Rivers to become the first Jasper County Legislative Delegation Liaison Officer. Where she served until her retirement. Helen was so proud to be elected to the Jasper Soil and Water Conservation District where she served for ten years. Helen’s favorite past time was traveling and  being surrounded by family and friends.  She especially enjoyed being on a boat in the water. Helen touched many lives young and old during her lifetime.

Helen was preceded in death by her beloved husband Harold S. Pittman, her mother and father Thelma and Elmer Dills.

Helen is survived by two sons H. Cery Pittman and fiance Kristen King, Daniell J. Smith and partner Kristen Cooler of Ridgeland, SC; three brothers James Richard Dills and wife Barbara of Dudley, NC; Donald Cery Dills and wife Theresa of Prosperity, SC; Ronald Dills and wife Jan of Asheboro, NC; one granddaughter Oaklynn Grace Smith. A very special friend Jerry Monk of Bluffton, SC.  Special young men who call her Mom, Jonathan A. Goodson, Avery Whitkanack, Zachary Brown and Zachary Gaymon.  Helen had many cousins, nephews and nieces that were very special to her.

There will be a Celebration of Life at 11:00 am on Wednesday, October 27, 2021 at Sauls Funeral Home, 310 W Adams St, Ridgeland, SC.  Family will receive friends beginning at 10:00 am until the hour of service.

The family is asking that in lieu of flowers donations may be to the SC Farm Bureau Women’s Leadership Program, P.O. Box 754 Columbia, SC 29202. Please designate any donations to be used in the Coastal District.

To plant a beautiful memorial tree in memory of Helen Dills-Pittman, please visit our Tree Store.