Alyne Mcquagge Pitman

James & Sikes Funeral Home Maddox Chapel Alyne McQuagge Pitman died February 7, 2011, at eighty-eight years old. She is survived by her daughters, Bobra Palmer and Alyne Farrell; son Robert Pitman Jr.; granddaughters Jennifer Farrell and Carlton-Jane Beck; great-grandsons Tycen and Lleyton Beck; sister Lottie McQuagge Fite; nieces Eugenia McQuagge Tyus and Donna Fite Moore; and nephews Bill Mcquagge, Burton Fite, and Mac Fite. Alyne's family has been an integral part of Jackson County for generations, including her late husband Robert "Bud" Pitman, brother A.E. "Eugene" McQuagge M.D., and parents Thelma and Will McQuagge. After serving as a military court reporter for Graham Air Base, she hosted the popular daily radio broadcast "News Along the Party Line" while also becoming society editor for the Jackson County Floridan. In 1960, Alyne was elected Supervisor of Elections for Jackson County, a position she held for nearly thirty years. During her tenure, she held memberships in the Florida State Supervisors of Elections and the National Association of Elections Officials. She was also a registered lobbyist who fought to secure constitutional equality for elected officials. She was loved and respected by local politicians, Florida governors, and even U.S. Presidents. Alyne's social service was as extensive as her political life. She served as president of the Marianna Junior Woman's Club and was named Woman of the Year. She was a member of the Chipola Regional Arts Association and the Chipola Historical Trust. She received the Good Government Award presented by the Junior Chamber of Commerce, and was the Celebrity Honoree selected by the Jackson County Chamber of Commerce to receive the key to the city of Marianna. Since early childhood, the church was a fundamental part of Alyne's life. She and her siblings Eugene and Lottie joined the First Presbyterian Church of Marianna in 1930. Alyne went on to be ordained a deacon of the church, then an elder, and also served as a Sunday school teacher, circle chairman, historian, and adult leader of the Senior High Fellowship. Additionally, she served on the Executive Board of the Women of the Church of Florida Presbytery. Alyne's happiest times were spent with relatives and friends at her family beach house, the "Nest of Kin," as well as traveling the globe. She was an avid Gator fan, a lifelong Democrat, and a friend to anyone she ever met. Services will be held at the First Presbyterian Church of Marianna on Friday, February 11 at 2 p.m. with the Reverend Dr. Huw Christopher officiating. Interment will follow at Riverside Cemetery. In lieu of floral arrangements, donations may be sent to the First Presbyterian Church, 4437 Clinton Street, Marianna, FL. 32446, in memory of Alyne Pitman, or to the American Lung Association.