On January 21, 2026, we said goodbye to David F. Bittle, a steady and beloved presence in our family. He left us for his home in heaven after a long life of love, service, teaching, and being an example of how to live.
He was born September 9, 1929, in Knoxville, TN, to Charles F. Bittle, Jr., and Wanda Ogle Bittle. He thoroughly enjoyed visiting the Smoky Mountains and was a trove of history and stories.
After his service in Korea, he met and married the love of his life, Laura Roddie, in Kentucky in 1956. They moved to Decatur, Alabama, and raised two children there. He was a chemical engineer at Chemstrand, later Monsanto, and then Solutia.
He taught Sunday School at First Bible Church for several years, then both Sunday School and Children’s Church at Southside Baptist Church for over thirty years. He loved teaching, and his lessons had hours of study and preparation, making each lesson deep and powerful. His favorite authors were Francis Schaeffer, C.S. Lewis, and Agatha Christie, and quotes from them often appeared. He always loved hearing from those he had taught and the stories they had remembered!
David Bittle was predeceased by his parents and beloved wife. He is survived by his daughter, Sandra (Stanley) Howard, and his son David (Catherine) Bittle; grandchildren Elizabeth (Nick) Carter, Michael Howard, Peyton Bittle, Laura Grace Bittle, and Emma Bittle; great-grandchildren Charlotte Carter, Adalyn Carter, and Olivia Carter.
Pallbearers will be Michael Howard, Nick Carter, Julian Hamilton, Wesley Holland, Terry Glover, Sam Ward, and Ashley Holland (honorary).
A graveside service will be held at Burningtree Memorial Gardens on Wednesday, January 28, at 11:00, Bro. Ben Holland officiating.
