Early Life and Education
Jane Etta Pitt (née Hillhouse) was born on August 13, 1940, in Memphis, Tennessee, into a close-knit family that instilled values of education, faith, and community service. Growing up in a modest household, Jane developed a strong work ethic and a passion for learning that would shape her career and personal life. She pursued higher education at Oklahoma Baptist University, where she met her future husband, William Alvin Pitt. The couple married in 1962, beginning a partnership that would span over six decades.
Family and Upbringing
Jane and William Pitt welcomed their first child, William Bradley Pitt—known to the world as Brad Pitt—on December 18, 1963, in Shawnee, Oklahoma. The family later expanded with the birth of their son Doug in 1966 and daughter Julie in 1969. Initially residing in Shawnee, they moved to Tulsa before settling in Springfield, Missouri, a rural area surrounded by cornfields and the Ozark Mountains. Jane raised her children in a conservative Southern Baptist household, emphasizing faith, kindness, and resilience. Her influence was profound, with Brad often crediting her as the emotional cornerstone of the family, describing her as a pillar of support who never pushed him toward fame but celebrated his happiness.
As a mother, Jane was deeply engaged in her children’s lives, fostering their individuality while maintaining a tight-knit family unit. She and William raised their three children with a focus on moral values and community involvement, encouraging them to pursue their passions. Jane’s nurturing extended to her 14 grandchildren, including Brad’s six children with ex-wife Angelina Jolie: Maddox, Pax, Zahara, Shiloh, and twins Vivienne and Knox. Her granddaughter Sydney, Doug’s daughter, fondly recalled Jane’s ability to keep up with all her grandchildren, organizing “special days” filled with activities like banana splits for breakfast, craft projects, and trips to Silver Dollar City.
Career as an Educator and Counselor
Jane dedicated much of her professional life to education, reflecting her commitment to nurturing young minds. She began her career as an elementary school teacher in Missouri, later transitioning to a role as a school counselor in the Springfield Public School System. As one of the original educators in the “Parents As Teachers” program, Jane empowered families by guiding them through their children’s developmental milestones with compassion and insight. Her work extended beyond the classroom through volunteer efforts at the Pregnancy Care Center in Springfield, where she provided support to expectant mothers. Her career was marked by a deep commitment to fostering growth, both in her students and the broader community.
Philanthropic Legacy
Jane’s legacy is closely tied to her family’s philanthropic endeavors. In 2009, she and her children, including Brad, Doug, and Julie, donated $1 million to Mercy Hospital in Springfield, establishing the Jane Pitt Pediatric Cancer Center. Affiliated with St. Jude Children’s Hospital, the center hired the region’s first pediatric oncologist and hematologist, significantly improving care for children in southwest Missouri. Jane expressed immense pride in her children’s charitable work, noting in a 2018 WorldServe International interview, “I’m very proud of all my children. They see a need and try to step in and fill it.” Her influence inspired Brad’s disaster relief efforts in New Orleans, Doug’s clean water initiatives in Tanzania, and Julie’s work in Ethiopia.
Jane’s commitment to philanthropy was rooted in her faith and belief in doing good for its own sake. Her granddaughter Sydney highlighted this, recalling Jane’s lessons in fairness, putting others first, and finding joy in small acts of kindness. This ethos extended to her personal life, where she was known for her boundless love and generosity.
Personal Passions and Family Bond
An avid artist, Jane expressed herself through painting, a passion she shared with her grandchildren during craft sessions that created cherished memories. Her creative spirit also manifested in playful family traditions, such as inventing silly games to make her grandchildren laugh. Sydney’s tribute described Jane’s ability to find joy in the smallest things, from painting to watching hummingbirds, and her knack for making everyone feel loved. Jane’s Christian faith was a guiding force, shaping her values of kindness, strength, and compassion, which she passed down to her family.
Though Jane and William largely stayed out of the public eye, they occasionally joined Brad on the red carpet, including at the 2012 Academy Awards and the 2014 premiere of Angelina Jolie’s film Unbroken, where they appeared alongside Brad and some of their grandchildren. These rare public moments highlighted Jane’s supportive role in her son’s career, though she preferred a quiet life in Springfield. Brad frequently spoke of her influence, noting in a 2019 interview that her strength and lack of a “stage mother” mentality allowed him to pursue acting on his own terms. In June 2025, during a Today show interview promoting his film F1, Brad gave a heartfelt shout-out to Jane, saying, “I gotta say hi to my mom because she watches you every morning. To Jane Pitt, love you, Mom.”
Later Years and Passing
Jane spent her later years in Springfield, Missouri, alongside William, continuing to engage in community and family life. In 2020, she celebrated her 80th birthday with a family gathering at Brad’s home, though her grandchildren with Angelina Jolie were notably absent due to the ongoing tensions from Brad and Angelina’s divorce. Despite these challenges, Jane remained a unifying figure, described by sources as the “glue” that held the Pitt family together, even resolving a significant family dispute five years prior to her passing.
Jane Etta Pitt passed away peacefully on August 5, 2025, in Springfield, Missouri, at the age of 84. The cause of death was not publicly disclosed. Her granddaughter Sydney announced the news on August 6, 2025, in an emotional Instagram post, writing, “My sweet Grammy, Jane Etta, we were not ready for you to go yet but knowing you are finally free to sing, dance, and paint again makes it a tad easier.” Sydney described Jane as having “the biggest heart,” a sentiment echoed across tributes that celebrated her as “love in its purest form.” The family expressed gratitude to Kamron Liepins and the Phoenix Home Health staff for their care during Jane’s final year.
Legacy
Jane Etta Pitt is survived by her husband, William Alvin Pitt; her children, Brad, Doug, and Julie; and her 14 grandchildren. Her legacy endures through the Jane Pitt Pediatric Cancer Center, her family’s continued charitable work, and the countless lives she touched as an educator, counselor, and grandmother. Tributes from family and the Springfield community highlighted her quiet strength, boundless love, and artistic spirit, which continue to inspire those who knew her. As Sydney noted, Jane’s presence lingers “in every brushstroke, every kind gesture, every hummingbird.” A private Celebration of Life was planned to honor her remarkable life.
Sources: Information compiled from People, The U.S. Sun, The Independent, KY3, Moneycontrol, and Instagram posts by Sydney Pitt.