Jesse Lee Pitts, 72, a man who deeply loved Jesus Christ, entered the eternal presence of His Savior and God on Wednesday September 14, 2021.

Jesse was born to the late Zebedee Pitts Sr. and Gertrude (Whitfield) Pitts on June 7, 1949 in Shelby, Mississippi. Born the eighth of eleven children, Jesse was a lively and energetic child who enjoyed the company of his parents and siblings. The hard-working nature and diligent work ethic that would become characteristic of Jesse throughout his life was observed early on as he began working at the age of six years old alongside his father and siblings on the family's farm. Jesse was mindful to finish his tasks, however he was always eager to play or engage in some of his favorite outdoor activities, like racing, hunting, and fishing, with his brothers and sisters. Jesse attended Broad Street School in Shelby, Mississippi where he developed many friendships that would last into his adult life.

Armed with a strong work ethic and motivated by an ambition to develop skills for a life of productive work, Jesse enrolled in Job Corps in 1965, at the age of 16 years old, and moved from his home in Shelby, Mississippi to the Puxico, Missouri Job Corps Center where he would be trained as a heavy equipment mechanic. Sometime after his training Jesse moved to Kansas City, Missouri to begin working in his trade. Throughout his life Jesse would reflect positively on his Job Corps training expressing a sense of pride at his work on machinery, which was used, for example, to construct Kansas City International Airport. It was during this time in his early 20's that God providentially guided Jesse to become an upholstery apprentice where he would learn the art of furniture reupholstery, training which Jesse would build upon and refine over the span of more than 50 years. God showed great kindness to Jesse in Kansas City and granted him many blessings which he carried in his heart and mind until his final hours in this life.

In 1975 Jesse traveled with his brother-in-law to Broadview, IL for a brief visit. Prior to arriving he had no intention of relocating to the Chicagoland area, however while in the city for the few days he met Eloise Robinson Hodge, a meeting and subsequent relationship that Jesse described as "God's greatest earthly gift to me." At the end of the visit and prior to leaving the city Jesse made his intention clear telling Eloise, "I will be back." Jesse made good on that promise to Eloise and returned to Broadview less than two weeks later never to leave his soon-to-be bride again.

In 1976 Jesse and Eloise began attending Broadview Baptist Church together where, by God's sovereign grace, and upon hearing the Gospel of Jesus Christ, God granted Jesse repentance and gave him the gift of faith to believe the gospel and be saved. During a Wednesday evening bible study Jesse made a profession of faith in Jesus Christ as his Savior and confessed Him as his Lord. The sincerity of that profession was affirmed by the fruit of Jesse's life. The kind, gentle, humble, generous, merciful, contrite, joyful, and faith-filled heart many would observe in Jesse throughout the years was a testimony to his conversion. For the rest of his life Jesse would share the good news that God offers forgiveness of sin and eternal salvation through the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ with all who would listen – family, friends, and strangers alike.

While at Broadview Baptist Church Jesse would meet many godly men and women who would love him, encourage him, challenge him, and help nurture him in the faith. On November 17, 1977 Jesse and Eloise would marry at Broadview Baptist Church, officiated by Pastor Clarence Hopson. That day and the life that sprang from it remained a source of joy and an expression of God's grace in Jesse's heart until his final hours in this life.

In 1984 Jesse and Eloise would join themselves to the Lord's church at Wheaton Christian Center in Carol Stream, IL. Over the next 37 years Jesse would serve Wheaton Christian Center in many and varying ways. Whether as an usher, working in facilities management, or as a Care Minister being a source of encouragement and support to the members of the Wheaton Christian Center community, Jesse Pitts loved his brothers and sisters at WCC and was grateful to God for the opportunity to serve and be served by a loving community. Particularly dear to Jesse was his time serving in the transportation ministry where he would drive his pastor and dear friend Carlton Arthurs to and from ministry engagements.

Over the course of his life Jesse would take the early training he received as an upholsterer and build a reputation throughout Chicagoland as a skilled artesian of custom furniture reupholstery. He was highly regarded for his knowledge and craftsmanship by customers as well as others in the upholstery and design industry. Whether as an employee, contractor, partner, or entrepreneur, for 50 years Jesse's skilled hands powered by his creativity, keen eye, and attention for detail, would transform the worn, torn, or soiled into beautiful showroom quality pieces of furniture delighting his many residential and commercial customers. In April 2011 Jesse purchased Valley Upholstery and Design in Batavia, IL where he operated the business until his passing. He was a member of the Batavia Chamber of Commerce and had many friendly relationships with other business owners in Batavia and greater Fox Valley area.

When not working or serving Jesse enjoyed spending time with his "sweetheart" Eloise and his children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren, and he was always delighted to travel back home to Shelby, Mississippi or wherever family was located to spend time with his many brothers, sisters, nieces, and nephews. Jesse enjoyed watching old Western and martial arts movies, however it was commonplace for family and friends to enter his home or business and find Jesse reading his bible or listening to his audio bible or bible teaching on Christian radio. Jesse had an abiding love for the scriptures and endeavored to teach and model a Christ-centered, biblically based life. It was the example of Jesus and the instruction for Christian living he read in the bible that motivated Jesse to, for example, serve and encourage men and women recovering from drug addiction, give to the poor, open his home to those in need, and stand in as a godly male example when one was not present. Jesse lived a sacrificial life. He would give his last to others having confidence that God would provide for him and his family. Jesse loved people and found no barrier to loving them in their life experience, ethnicity, or national origin. Whether it was long-time friends of Polish, Hispanic, Moroccan, Asian, African decent and many other ethnicities, Jesse shared deep and personal relationships with people from varying nations, tribes and tongues often referring to some as his "brother" or "sister". Over the years Jesse was a mentor to many, and a likely equal number adopted him as their "father" or "uncle." His humility, his kindness, his gentle demeanor, his compassion for others, his willingness to speak the truth in love, and his deep and abiding love for Jesus Christ will loom large as he is remembered.

Jesse Pitts is survived by his wife Eloise and their five children: daughters Karyn Haymon (Vince), Kysa Butler, Shenitta Ewing Pitts, Jesseca Watson (Parrish), and his son David Pitts (Latasha). Jesse was a grandfather to ten and a great grandfather to seven.

Jesse was preceded in death by his sister Erma Williams (Otis), and brother James Pitts (Goldie). He is also survived by his siblings; Sarah Jane Liggon of Fort Lauderdale, FL; Zebedee Pitts Jr. (Shirley) of Shelby, MS; Richard Pitts (Evelyn) of Gautier, MS; Lude Mae Pitts of Shelby, MS; Willie B Pitts of Shelby, MS; Clara Pitts of Cahokia, IL; Eddie Lee Pitts of Dixon, IL; Mary Lee Pitts of Atlanta, GA; Gene Pitts (Joyce) of Mound Bayou, MS; Willie Mae Wade (Rayford) of Saint Louis, MO; sisters in-law; Karolyn Grissom, Jan Williams, Emily Stamps, and Sarah McKinney Ellis; and a host of nieces, nephews, friends, and loved ones.

A visitation will be held September 24, 2021 from 10:00 to 11:00 at Wheaton Christian Center. A funeral service will be held September 24, 2021 at 11:00 a.m. at Wheaton Christian Center. Interment will follow at Wheaton Cemetery in Wheaton, Illinois. A livestream of the funeral service can be found here: Homegoing Service for Jesse Lee Pitts

Family and friends may sign a guest book at hultgrenfh.com. For more information, please call Hultgren Funeral Home at 630-668-0027.