Following a private burial, a memorial service for L. FrankPitts was 11 a.m. Friday, March 20, at Park Cities Baptist Churchin Dallas, Texas. Sparkman/Hillcrest Funeral Home in Dallas was incharge of arrangements.

Mr. Pitts, 98, died March 16, 2009, at his residence. He wasborn in Wesson on Oct. 7, 1910, to Addie Mae Sandifer and John LoydPitts.

He was a 1930 graduate of Copiah-Lincoln Junior College andattended Northwestern University. He was recognized for his greatcontributions and leadership in the oil and gas industry in whichhe gave 68 years of dedicated service. For almost seven decades, heparticipated in the drilling of more than 3,000 wells inexploration for oil and natural gas. Co-Lin honored him as Alumnusof the Year in 1973 and again in 2003 with the Distinguished AlumniLeadership Award. Mr. Pitts was known as “Papa” by his family, hedelighted in the arrival of each grandchild and has been involvedand influential in each of their lives.

Preceding him in death were his wife of 58 years, Mary MarthaMcCann Pitts; a son, Lloyd Franklin Pitts Jr.; a great-grandson,Elijah Christian Noel Hurt; and a brother, Shelby D. Pitts.

Survivors are a daughter, Linda Custard; a brother, Troy N.Pitts, of Wesson; his three grandchildren; and a host of nieces,nephews and cousins.