Gospel, like Mother likes it

“I love to see Christian entertainment,” said 94-year-old Azelie Pitts. “It lifts your spirit it makes you feel good. Sometimes you can go in feeling low and it will bring you back up.”

Pitts is excited about the upcoming Mother’s Day Gospel show featuring Mary Mary, Fred Hammond, Jessica Reedy, gospel comedian Eric Broderick and local choirs Westside Missionary Baptist Church Choir and Church on the Rock.

But the fact that she’s being honored as part of the Mother’s Day show with the Gospel Fest Mother of the Year Award for a lifetime of service as an exceptional matriarch makes this Mother’s day festivity all the more special.

“We are just elated,” said Mary King, Pitts’ daughter. “She has been such a good mother to all of us and shown us – and so many others – such love.”

The concert will take place on Sunday at the Chaifetz Arena.

 “She was brought to my attention and God put in on my heart to honor her,” said concert promoter Daryel Oliver, who plans to make the concert and the accompanying honor an annual event. “Then after you look at her history 15 children and a mover and a shaker in the church community it was definitely the right decision.”

Pitts is the mother of 15 children, 13 are still alive and 12 will be on hand as she is celebrated by the city of St. Louis during the concert. She will receive a special proclamation from City Hall as a part of the festivities.

“I knew how my mother raised us, and I tried to raise my children the same way,” Pitts said. “I had an excellent role model.”

Pitts, one of ten children raised in St. Louis historic neighborhood known as The Ville believes that her family’s faith-based way of life was the root of her being considered an outstanding mother.

“I’d take them to church and teach them the Christian way to live,” Pitts said. “My family is what I’m all about. I tried to teach them how to pray, to honor their mother and father, to love one another – and to love and respect other people.”

Pitts will be 95 in two months and she’s still an active member of Victory Christian Outreach Church – attending church every Sunday.

“I thank him every morning that I am clothed, in my right mind and have the use of my limbs, Pitts said. “A lot of people are not as fortunate as me. I move slow sometimes, but I’m still blessed because I am able to get around and to go worship with the Saints. I’m a deaconess and I love to fellowship with people and I love to talk with different people and encourage them.”

Just as she does with everything else, Pitts gives the credit for her ‘Mother of the Year’ recognition to God She hopes the award will serve as an example of the good that came come in walking with through life by following his word and his will.

“I’m so happy about the whole thing and grateful to God for this and many other blessings,” Pitts said. “It hasn’t been easy all the time but I’ve had faith in god and I trust him for everything.  He’s been my protector all the way that’s why I’m able to talk with you today.”

Her family is equally elated.

“We are delighted and we are all rallying around and coming in from all over for the occasion,” King said. “She was very happy and we are very thankful for the recognition. We are so honored. They couldn’t have picked a better person – they couldn’t have selected a better mother.”

The Mother’s Day Gospel Fest featuring Fred Hammond and Mary Mary, Mary, Fred Hammond, Jessica Reedy, gospel comedian Eric Broderick, Westside Missionary Baptist Church Choir and Church on the Rock and honoring Azelie Pitts will take place at 6 p.m. on Sun., May 13, at Chaifetz Arena, 1 S. Compton Ave., 63103. For more information, call (314) 977-5008.