CLICK HERE for a story about the 1978 girls' state championship team. A team photo is below.
Sharon Kay Ansley Pitts, 77, who led Ada High School girls' on a state basketball championship, died Jan. 4, 2018.
She was born in Bellefontaine, Ohio, on May 18, 1940, to the late Carl and Vera (Henkle) Ansley and is preceded in death by her brother. Dick Ansley.
She is survived by a sister Sue Nickerson, and brothers, Jerry Ansley, Mike Hurley, and Doug Hurley.
Sharon had five children: Stephanie (Greg) Bolin, Carol Pitts, Todd Pitts, Aaron (Amanda) Pitts, Bill (Tricia) Pitts along with her grandchildren Brittney, Aaron, Kristin, Kyle, Kody, Antonio, Devon, Alix, Anna, Andrew, Gavin, Abigail, Brandon, Olivia, and her seven great grandchildren.
Sharon graduated from Roundhead High School in 1958 and attended both The Ohio State University and Ohio Northern University.
She was a beloved teacher and basketball coach for most of her career touching the lives of thousands of students, but her legacy will be that of a great basketball coach.
After starting the basketball program at Ada High school in 1972, her teams dominated the region for the next 10 years. Her 1978 team won the Ohio State girls basketball championship and was inducted into the Hardin County Hall of Fame.
After leaving Ada in 1983, she moved to Marion to teach and coach at Ridgedale High School.
In 1986, she moved to Columbus and taught her remaining years at Starling Middle School where she retired in 1992.
Following retirement, to keep busy, she drove cars for Honda, which allowed her to travel throughout the United States. Sharon loved to spend time visiting her children and taking an integral part of her grandchildren’s lives.
After moving from her log cabin home in Roundhead to Columbus in 2014, she enjoyed her relationships with her neighbors while playing cards.
Sharon experienced and persevered through the highs and lows of life as a result of being “in the Arena.” What a great example she was for her family, friends, students, and players. For this, she was and will continue to be a source of strength for all of us.
As a mother, grandmother, sister, aunt, teacher, coach and friend she will be sorely missed. Memories of Grandma “Pitty Pat’s” humor, laughter, and sarcasm will remain in our heart forever.
Funeral services will begin 2 p.m. on Monday, Jan. 8, at the Roundhead United Methodist Church 17907 State Route 117, Roundhead, with Pastor Ted Bible officiating.
Burial will be in Roundhead Cemetery, Roundhead. A celebration of life will follow at the former Roundhead VFW Post #8832 now known as Longhorn Steak House.
Friends may call from 4 to 7 p.m. on Sunday, Jan. 7, at the Roundhead United Methodist Church 17907 State Route 117, Roundhead, and one hour prior to the service on Monday at the church.
In lieu of flowers memorial contributions may be made to the Roundhead United Methodist Church P.O. Box 235, Roundhead, Ohio 43346.
