Evelyn Petty

After 98 years of energetic and joyous living, our vivacious, outgoing mother joined her parents, husband, brothers and many dear friends on the other side early on February 27, 2016. Lately Mother had been worried that God had forgotten her, however, we think that perhaps he wasn't quite ready for such a high-spirited soul. Born in Phoenix in 1917, to Lila (nee Cheatham) and Marven Williams, she grew up on her parents' cotton farm in Laveen. As a teenager, she commuted into Phoenix to attend Phoenix Union HS, then Phoenix College. From there it was off to the UofA to join new Gamma Phi Beta friends and meet her future husband, George Petty. She graduated with a teaching certificate in 1939 and taught at Creighton Elementary in Phoenix. After War was declared, however, Daddy and other ROTC students at the UofA were called to soldier, many commissioned into the U.S. Cavalry. Mother and Daddy married in 1942 and settled in Fort Riley, Kansas for the duration of the war. There, as a cavalry officer's wife, she had to learn to ride English instead of bareback or Western! Returning to Phoenix after the War, Daddy built Mother her first home. Mother stayed busy with children and volunteering with the Gray Ladies and the Gamma Phi Beta alums, and both Mother and Daddy enjoyed dancing, bridge, and travel with their friends. After a short move to Tucson, the family returned to settle in north Phoenix where they were also active in Sunnyslope Presbyterian Church. Mother returned to teaching when we kids were older, and taught fourth grade science at Desert View Elementary School in Sunnyslope. Former students still talk about her terrific outer space lessons and meeting the astronauts. In the 1960s, Mother and Daddy sought escape from the ferocious Phoenix summer heat by buying a place in Munds Park where they golfed and found even more friends. After Daddy passed and Mother retired, she became a full time golfer, playing 18 holes three days a week at Pinewood Country Club all summer and at various Phoenix courses in the winter. She even celebrated her 90th birthday with a Pinewood golf tournament. And it wasn't just golf that engaged her. Mother also loved hiking, volunteering for the Assistance League, supporting the Arizona Opera, dancing, gardening, wearing great clothes, and traveling abroad with friends. She lived life with vitality and enthusiasm! Mother is survived by her children: Jim (Bobbee) Petty, Joanne Petty, Pamela Petty (Stephen Tally); her grandchildren: Wendy LaJoie (Scott), Chad Newell (Denisse), Callie Newell, Brent Petty, Molly Renner (Robert Gibson), David Renner (Heather O'Hara); her great-grandchildren: Rayce Gibson, Willow, Miles and Sawyer LaJoie; Matteo and Eva Newell, Tessa and Jack Petty; and her nieces and nephews. After moving from her home in north Phoenix, Mother enjoyed living first at Beatitudes Campus of Care and more recently at Huger Mercy Living Center. She especially loved the live music, dancing and church services at Huger Mercy. The family extends our sincere thanks to Martha Sayeg, who helped Mother live independently at Beatitudes, and then to the wonderful and caring staff at the beautiful Huger Mercy Living Center where Mother has lived for the past three years. A visitation will be held from 6-8pm on Friday, March 11, 2016 at Hansen Chapel, 8314 N. 7th St, Phoenix. A memorial service will be at 11:00am on Saturday, March 12, 2016 at Hansen. In lieu of flowers consider a donation in Mother's name to Huger Mercy Living Center, 2345 W Orangewood Ave., Phoenix, 85021.

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