Penny Martin Pittman, of Fairmont, NC, died Friday, July 8, 2016 in Raleigh, after loving visits from each of her four girls. Even though Penny passed away in Raleigh, her heart remained in Fairmont.

Penny was born in a rambling farm house in rural S outh Carolina to A.T. Martin and Lena Bryant .  Upon the death of her father, Penny relocated with her family to Fairmont when she was in her early teens.  She married Pat Lewis Pittman in 1950 and they made their home on NC Highway 130 East where they raised their four daughters, Pamela Pittman Robinson (husband Ward Robinson ), Sara Teresa Pittman (husband Matt Pittman ,) Penny Pittman Downey (husband Fred Downey ), and Pat Leigh Pittman Glasgow (husband Tom Glasgow).  When her husband died a t the age of fifty-four in 1984, Penny stayed in their home and worked on creating a beautiful yard and garden with endless rows of lilies, wisteria, and camellias .

Penny was trained and certified in the art of Ikebana flower arranging and travelled throughout the state to judge, present, and demonstrate her skill.  She was also a poet, a photographer, a master gardener, a storyteller, a conservation activist, a lover of pets, an avid reader, a baker, a nurse, a listening ear, a Sunday School teacher, an alto singer, a ukulele player, a beloved wife, a treasured mother, and the world's best grandmother to Adrienne Creedmore , Patrick Robinson (wife Emily), Wood Robinson, Josh Downey, Tim Downey, Cara Leigh Downey, Nathaniel Glasgow, and Zach Pittman.

Predeceased by her siblings Grace Collins, Larry Martin, Calhoun Martin, Harry Martin, Mable Robinson, Lois Pace, and Lena Mundy, Penny is survived by her sister Daphne Byrne and a number of amazing nieces and nephews who comprise the Martin clan.

Special mention is made of Jerry and Earl i ne Hunt, dear friends who made all the difference in the world.

The family will receive friends at the home of Matt and Resa Pittman located at 2270 Leggett Road in Fairmont on Tuesday evening , July 12, 2016 . There will also be a visitation at the First Baptist Church in Fairmont on Wednesday, July 13, 2016 starting at 10:45AM , followed by a funeral service also at the First Baptist Church at 11:30AM . The burial will be private. Floyd Funeral Services is assisting the Pittman family with arrangements.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to: T he Nature Conservancy, 4245 N. Fai rfax Drive, Suite 100, Arlington, VA 22203.