Sharinta Laniese Pitts was born the second child of five to Vicky Renee Grimes and Maurice Gregory, on April 27, 1987, in Cleveland, OH. Sharinta was raised by her loving grandparents, Gloria Renee Pitts, and the late James Edward Pitts in East Cleveland, OH. Through her formative years, Sharinta attended East Cleveland City Schools, where she excelled academically, consistently earning honor roll, high achievements and several awards. In the 1998-’99 school year, she was awarded the President’s Award for Education Excellence, signed Bill Clinton. Sharinta received the Martin Luther King Jr. Award, and was selected to give a speech amongst her class. Throughout elementary and middle school, Sharinta received principal awards, a citizenship award, a super-student award, and more.

Through high school, Sharinta continued to be widely regarded as an incredibly bright student. In May of 2004, she was inducted into the National Vocational Honor Society, and later inducted into the National Technical Honor Society during her senior year. In high school, Sharinta also studied Cosmetology, becoming licensed, and received several other vocational and academic awards, including the “Spirit of Endurance” certificate, as well as the Academic Achievement and Good Character award. Sharinta would go on to proudly graduate as a Shaw High Cardinal, class of 2005 (’05). Through her vibrancy, she built meaningful relationships with faculty, staff, and classmates, many of whom would remain her closest and dearest friends.

After graduating from Shaw High School, Sharinta attended Ohio University, where she built on her love for mathematics, majoring in Accounting. She would later transfer to Cuyahoga Community College (Tri-C), where she earned her Associate of Arts in Business and General Administration. Sharinta held several professional jobs throughout her life in both the private and public sector. Most notably and most recently, Sharinta served as the Division Supervisor at the Cuyahoga County Clerk of Courts. Outside of her professional career, Sharinta enjoyed music, vacationing, and watching the sunrise and sunset around open water. Sharinta also found great passion in volunteer work and serving others. She spent more than a decade volunteering for several non-profit organizations and providing for those with the greatest need.

Sharinta’s love and service to humanity stemmed from her Christian roots, and the Godly principles she was raised in. As a child, Sharinta attended Church of God, M.P.G. of T, where she served as a member of the choir. Sharinta was raised in the church, she even spent her Sweet 16 in a church service. Looking back, this created a foundation that followed her throughout her life. Sharinta would later join Providence Baptist Church, where she committed her life to Jesus Christ in June of 2023. After attending several services and conferences, in May of 2026, Sharinta joyfully became a member of Imani United Church of Christ under the direction and leadership of Pastor Michele Humphrey.

Of her many joys, at the top of the list was her love for family and motherhood. Sharinta’s proudest moments came from raising her only daughter, Amari Renee Pitts, and seeing her smile. Sharinta loved and supported Amari, placed her in several extracurricular activities, and wouldn’t miss a moment to tell others how proud of her she was in conversation. In addition, Sharinta had deeply personal relationships with her grandmother, auntie, siblings, and cousins. However, Sharinta’s love for family did not stop there. Her love overflowed into the life of every family member she interacted with. From her great aunts and uncles, to cousins, down to her nephews, Sharinta’s warmth, compassion, and grace has had a profound impact on her entire family. Sharinta was humble, creative, and very artistic. Though we all wanted more years, some of Sharinta’s closing words were, “No one can tell me that my God is not real, and I’m going to tell it to everyone“. Sharinta’s testimony will continue to be told, through the lives of everyone she has touched.

Sharinta was preceded in death by both her grandfathers, James Edward Pitts, and Herman Lee Clay.

Sharinta leaves behind her loving daughter, Amari Pitts, Cleveland, OH; grandmother, Gloria Pitts, Cleveland, OH; father, Maurice Gregory, Cleveland, OH; mother, Vicky Grimes, Cleveland, OH; Four siblings, Antuan Pitts, Timeisha Pitts, Christopher Pitts (Porscha Pitts), Melvin Pitts, Cleveland, OH; Several cousins, including Cierra Britt, and La’Sheena Henry, and a host more; Several aunts, including Gloria Raum; Several uncles; Four nephews, Ta’Vion Swain, Josiah Pitts, Elijah Pitts, and Eli Tidmore, Cleveland, OH; extended family, in-law family, church family, and her very best friends!