Share
Joseph Pitts, one of our original Good Neighbor Award winners in 2000, helped install infrastructure, change zoning, and build a $9 million new school to revitalize his struggling neighborhood in West Palm Beach, Fla. Pitts, 72, who passed away November 10, 2005, is survived by four daughters and two sons, and many grandchildren; nieces and nephews. Pitts served his country 20 years in the Army. He was a veteran of the Vietnam War and was a prominent Realtor and broker. He was very active in community affairs especially in such matters as the Westgate CRA getting streets paved, sidewalks installed, public water and sewer services and his favorite project expanding and improving Westgate Elementary School. These efforts earned him the unofficial title of "Mayor of Westgate". Condolences and donations in lieu of flowers go to Westgate Elementary School Joseph Pitts Fund, 1545 Loxahatchee Dr., West Palm Beach, Fla. 33409. To read more about him from our REALTOR Magazine profile, click here
2004 Good Neighbor Honorable Mention Sandra B. Martin, of RE/MAX Executives in Atlanta, died Saturday April 1, after a chronic illness. Martin founded the Lifekeeper Foundation as a way of handling the grief of losing her only child to suicide when he was 17. The mission of the Lifekeeper Foundation is to educate people that depression is treatable, teach them to recognize early warning signs, and stop suicide—the third leading cause of death in America for youth aged 10 to 24—from being a source of shame. The organization provides suicide awareness, education, and prevention programs through art forms such as poetry, jewelry, and the national memory quilts, which are in 47 states. Martin had testified before Congress and was also the past president of the national Suicide Prevention Action Network USA Inc. In lieu of flowers, the family has requested that donations be made to the Suicide Prevention Action Network USA, 1025 Vermont Avenue, Suite 1066, Washington, DC 20005 or The Link Counseling Center, 348 Mount Vernon Highway, Atlanta, GA 30028. For more information go to www.spanusa.org.