Faith, Art, and Family: Jane Etta Pitt

Basic Information

Early Life and Roots

Born on August 13, 1940, in Memphis, Tennessee, Jane Etta Hillhouse came of age amid midcentury American change, the rhythms of the post-Depression era shaping her empathy and grit. She spent formative years in Missouri, with family ties threading through Joplin and rural communities where faith and hard work stood as daily anchors. By the early 1960s, she was at Oklahoma Baptist University—spirited, community-minded, and a cheerleader whose energy matched her conviction.

There, the future came into focus. She met William Alvin “Bill” Pitt, a basketball player with similar values and a steady compass. They married in 1962, sealing a lifetime of partnership built on shared belief, mutual respect, and the kind of companionship that feels like a steady lighthouse through changing weather.

Marriage, Home, and Family

Jane and Bill settled in Springfield, Missouri, in the mid-1960s, making a home that was both rooted and welcoming. Bill built a trucking business that afforded the family a comfortable, middle-class life; Jane built the atmosphere—warm, structured, faithful—where three children thrived: Brad (born December 18, 1963), Doug, and Julie.

Home life carried traditions like prayer, family gatherings, and personalized one-on-one time with each grandchild. She was the kind of grandmother who scheduled “grandma dates,” guided little hands through paint-splattered afternoons, and made space for heartfelt talks. Over six decades, their marriage weathered the ordinary and the extraordinary, a long, textured companionship that remained the backbone of her days.

Career in Education

Before her name was ever linked to the bright lights of Hollywood, Jane was a teacher and counselor who understood that school is, in many ways, the second heart of a community. She taught in elementary classrooms in the 1960s and 1970s, then transitioned to high school counseling in the 1980s, where she became known for calm, steady guidance and creative approaches to student well-being.

Retiring in the 2000s, she didn’t leave her tools behind—she simply swapped lesson plans for canvases, community projects, and grandparenting. Colleagues remembered a counselor with a keen ear, a practical streak, and a gift for helping students find constructive paths through tangled moments.

Art, Philanthropy, and Community

Retirement became a second vocation. Painting—oils and watercolors of Missouri’s landscapes—was her reflective craft, a way to capture skies and fields with the patience of someone who understood that beauty often arrives quietly. Philanthropy followed the same rhythm: thoughtful, local, and attuned to needs in Springfield, from arts programs to efforts that supported children and families.

Together with Bill and their children, she flowed into community work that felt natural rather than performative. She didn’t chase headlines; she stewarded relationships, initiatives, and small acts of service that add up over years—like steady rain filling a reservoir.

Children and Grandchildren

Jane’s greatest joy was her family. Three children, each a distinct path; 14 grandchildren, each a distinct personality.

Her bond with each grandchild was one-on-one and intentional: ice cream dates, craft tables, prayer circles, and handwritten notes that children tucked away like keepsakes. Family life remained close-knit, though public reports acknowledged complexities following Brad’s 2016 divorce, with some relationships impacted over time. Even then, her approach stayed consistent—faith, patience, and an open door.

Key Dates Timeline

Recent Mentions and Remembrance

In August 2025, news of Jane’s passing drew wide attention not for spectacle, but for affection. Family tributes emphasized her steadfast love, joyful spirit, and faith—words that matched how neighbors and friends described her for decades. Reports noted Brad’s grief and the comfort of loved ones surrounding him, while extended family remembered a matriarch who taught resilience and kindness in ways that stick: small, daily choices, repeated over a lifetime.

FAQ

Who was Jane Etta Pitt?

She was an educator, counselor, artist, and devoted family matriarch born in 1940, best known publicly as the mother of Brad Pitt.

When did she pass away?

She died peacefully on August 5, 2025, in Springfield, Missouri, at age 84.

How long was she married?

She married William Alvin “Bill” Pitt in 1962, and their partnership spanned over 62 years.

Where did she live most of her life?

Springfield, Missouri was home for the majority of her adult life.

What was her career?

She worked as an elementary teacher and later a high school counselor before retiring.

Did she have children and grandchildren?

She had three children—Brad, Doug, and Julie—and 14 grandchildren.

Was she involved in the arts?

Yes; she painted, especially Missouri landscapes, and shared creativity with her grandchildren.

Did she seek public attention?

She occasionally appeared at major events with Brad but preferred a private, family-centered life.