Rufus Virgel Pittman passed away on Sunday, November 11th, Veterans Day, at Baptist Village. He was born December 1st, 1928 to Gaines and Leona Rigdon Pittman, the eldest of 6 children. and was preceded in death by his parents, brother Rayford R. Pittman, first wife Grace Music Pittman, second wife Earnestine C. Pittman, and son Gaines Virgel Pittman. Virgel, also known as R.V. and Rufus, is survived by daughters Debbie Pittman (Asheville, NC), Lorna Mullis (David) of Valdosta, daughter of the heart Marilyn Benson, Marrion C. Phipps (Tom) of Baltimore, Maryland, Wanda C. Petersen (Roney), David Corbett, Mary C. Foster (Garry) all of Waycross, and numerous grandchildren and great-grandchildren. He is also survived by siblings Ronnie Pittman (Bonnie) of Ohio, Lawanna King (Ronnie), Larry Pittman (Pat), and Warren Pittman (Janice), sister-in-law June Pittman (widow of Rayford) all of Waycross, and numerous nieces and nephews. Virgel lived in Ware County all of his life except a brief time when his father worked at the Charleston SC shipyards during the war. He is a graduate of Waresboro High School and is a WW II veteran of the US Navy. Most of his life, Virgel worked at the Atlantic Coast Line Railroad (now CSX) following in the family tradition. One of his first jobs was shoveling coal on steam engine #1800. His career spanned from fireman on a steam engine to being an engineer on the latest generation of diesel/electric locomotives. Virgel loved traditional country and bluegrass music, frequently attending festivals at Twin Oaks and other venues or enjoying impromptu music gatherings at the homes of family members. He also loved to travel, especially through the mountains of the southern Appalachians. As long as his health permitted, he liked to tinker in his workshop, a trait he learned from his carpenter father. His faith was important throughout his life, having grown up in Winona Park United Methodist Church. The family would like to thank his siblings, faithful family friend Renate Anderson, the Winona Park church family, and the staff of Baptist Village (especially Hall 6) and all who took such good care of him in his final years. Memorial gifts may be made to Winona Park United Methodist Church, 900 N. Augusta Ave. Waycross, GA 31501 or to Music and Memory at Brooks-Howell Home, 266 Merrimon Ave, Asheville NC 28801. A Celebration of Life will be held at Music Funeral Home chapel 11:00 a.m. Friday (November 23, 2018). Burial will follow at Kettle Creek Cemetery. The family will be receiving friends at the funeral home Friday morning from 9:30 until 10:30. Sympathy may be expressed by signing the online registry at www.musicfuneralhome.com.