James E. Hitt
James Edwards Hitt, 92, a beloved English teacher at Baylor School, died at Alexian Health Care Center Sunday, July 27, 2003.
He was preceded in death by his wife, Lorraine DePriest Hitt, brother, Robert M. Hitt, and sisters, Cathryn Slaughter and Margaret E. Hitt.
Mr. Hitt was born in Savannah, TN, son of the late James L. and Josephine Meredith Hitt.
James “Jim” Hitt had been a resident of Chattanooga for over 60 years. He graduated from MTSU and earned his Masters Degree in English at the University of Virginia. He taught for several years in Murfreesboro, TN and Shelbyville, TN before coming to Baylor School in 1942. He was the head of the English Department and taught Senior and Advanced placement English at Baylor until his retirement in 1977.
Mr. Hitt was the author of It Never Rains After Three O’Clock, the history of Baylor School. He also authored a published historical fiction novel, Tennessee Smith.
On June 27, a former Baylor student, Bob Barinowski, class of 1951, presented a bass-relief sculpture he had made of Mr. Hitt. It was presented at Baylor School to Mr. Hitt and his family, friends, colleagues, and former students present. The bass-relief of Mr. Hitt is now affixed to the wall of Barks Hall at Baylor School.
He is survived by his daughter, Margaret Hitt Summers of Chattanooga; grand-daughters, Lorie Ann Summers of Loganville, GA and Mary Katherine Summers of North Hollywood, CA; brothers, John D. Hitt of Lascassas, TN, and Ralph E. Hitt of Columbus, MS, sisters, Virginia Patterson of Lewisburg, TN and Josephine Bethel of Kansas City, KS; and brothers-in-law, sisters-in-law, nieces and nephews.
Funeral services will be held at 1 p.m. Wednesday at Baylor School Chapel with Dr. Lanny Lawler and Dr. Herb Barks officiating.
Interment will follow at Chattanooga Memorial Park.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Baylor School, Williams Island Ferry Road, Chattanooga, TN 37405, Hospice of Chattanooga, 4355 Hwy 58, Chattanooga, TN 37416, and First Christian Church, 650 McCallie Avenue, Chattanooga, TN 37403.
Family will receive friends 11:30–1 p.m. Wednesday at Baylor School Chapel.
Condolences may be sent to www.Heritagefh.com.
Arrangements are by Heritage Funeral Home, East Brainerd Road.