Mr. Keith Cornelius Pitchford

Keith Cornelius Pitchford passed away on May 13, 2023, at the age of 49 at New Hanover Regional Medical Center in Wilmington, North Carolina. His battles with many medical issues in recent years show that he was a courageous fighter who faced his challenges head-on and stayed strong until the very end. Keith was born on December 3, 1973, in Fayetteville, NC, to Margaret Pitchford and the late James Lee Pitchford. Growing up, he was an active member of Guiding Star Holiness Church. He was educated in the Cumberland County School System, where he excelled in academics and sports. He graduated from E.E. Smith High School in 1992, earning the North Carolina Teaching Fellow Scholarship to continue his education at The University of North Carolina at Greensboro. There, he met and married the love of his life, Kayonna Spencer, and began his family and career. Keith taught middle school social studies in Guilford County, Cumberland County, and Sampson County, spending most of his career in Cumberland County. In addition to being the favorite teacher to many, he coached several sports, the most often being his passion: basketball. As an enthusiastic and loyal Duke basketball fan, he showed his sense of humor by relentlessly ribbing all of the UNC fans he came across, no matter Duke’s record for the year. He enjoyed spending time with his family, grilling, gardening, and traveling with his wife. Those left to cherish his memory include: his loving wife of 27 years, Kayonna; son, Keith “Darren” of Fayetteville; daughter, Katherine “Katie” of Kansas City, MO; mother, Margaret, of Fayetteville; one sister, Lisa Barne, of Fayetteville, and one brother-in-law, Patrick Spencer (Kyna) of Durham, NC. He was preceded in death by his brother, Timothy, of Fayetteville. He also leaves many family members and friends. He was especially close to his uncle John Leggette of Fayetteville, his aunt, Faye Leggette, and his cousins, Christa and Nick; as well as aunt Connie Hammond of Greensboro, NC; aunt Annie Pressley (John) of Philadelphia,PA; best friends Raymond Thomas, Will Grace, Gardell Chavis, and Matthew Wells; and special player and “adopted son” Marcus Graham (Adrienne) of Roseboro, NC. Keith will be missed by numerous aunts, uncles, cousins, co-workers, students, and friends.

Mr. Keith Cornelius Pitchford

December 3, 1973 - May 13, 2023