Ella Jo Pitts Hinton

Ella Jo Pitts Hinton, 88, of Knoxville passed away on Monday, May 11. She was born on November 18, 1937 at Cerro Gordo, the daughter of Frank and Bess Pitts. She grew up in the Harbour Pitts store and worked many bours there.

She graduated from Central High in 1955 and was co-valedictorian of her class. She attended the University of Tennessee and graduated in 1959 with a bachelor's degree in education. After her graduation she worked as a librarian at the university library.

On June 4, 1958, Ella Jo was united in marriage to Don Hinton who survives. She is survived by her son John Hinton ( Kim ) of Boise, Idaho and her granddaughter Emily Hinton of LA, California. In addition, she is survived by nieces Marcia Tedford and Madelyn Keith of Savannah, Jo Anne Qualls of Memphis, Martha Pitts of Nashville, and nephews Monty Pitts of Nashville and Frank Pitts of Murfreesboro, cousin Barney Pitts of Savannah and other special cousins.

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by brothers Archie Pitts and Jack Pitts and sister Frankie Pitts, and beloved grandson Joseph Parker Hinton.

Ella Jo was a kind and considerate person who had a great love for animals, especially her many cats over the years. Memorial donations in her name may be made to any organization caring for animals.