Amy Pettit

SAN ANGELO Amy Pettit (born Ella Mae Lee), 96, died Aug. 4, 2011, in the Senior Care Center in San Angelo, Texas. Amy was born in Runnells County to Julia Ellen and Rolland Elzie Lee on May 31, 1915. She married Alva (Al) E. Pettit in Ballinger, Texas, in 1934, and they moved to San Angelo in 1940. Al preceded her in death in 1996. She loved her family and supported Al in his work for the Texas State fish hatcheries in San Angelo. At the age of fifty, she returned to college to complete her education at Angelo State University and graduated in 1970. She earned special certification from Texas Tech University in 1971, to teach emotionally disturbed children. She went on to receive her M.A. in Counseling Psychology in 1980, at the age of 65, and earned certification as a licensed professional counselor. Amy deeply believed in education and was the founder and head teacher of South Oakes School from 1975-1986, a school devoted to helping students with emotional difficulties. After her retirement from San Angelo public schools, she embarked upon a new career as a licensed geriatric counselor. Amy was passionate about service in the community, especially to those less fortunate. She was a devoted CROP walker, and was honored by Church World Service in the state of Texas for her commitment to the hungry. Amy's service to the community also included serving on the board member of MHMR, as a volunteer with the Shannon Hospital Auxiliary, delivering meals for the elderly, and contributing to Habitat for Humanity projects. In 2008, she was the San Angelo winner of the Jefferson Award for Public Service and was one of 76 local winners across the nation honored by the American Institute of Public Service at its Washington, D.C. national award ceremony. She was a devoted to her church, the First Christian Church of San Angelo, where she served as a deacon and elder. She offered spiritual support and nurture to all who gravitated to her wisdom and compassion. She will be remembered for her vivacious spirit, her welcoming smile, and her fierce and passionate commitment to social justice and equal rights for all. Amy loved reading, writing poetry, and keeping voluminous journals. She memorized many passages of Edna St. Vincent Millay's poetry as well as entire chapters of the Bible. She cherished cats, dogs, little birds that fell out of their nests, and all living creatures. Amy is survived by her daughter, Tina Lois Pettit Stanley and husband Dr. Vayden Stanley; son Dr. Robert B. Pettit and wife Christen Pettit Miller; and five grandchildren: Dr. Amy Stanley and partner Dr. Michele McCall, Kristin Stanley, Tess Pettit Anglin, Brynn Pettit Anglin and Grayson Pettit. Amy recently welcomed her first great-grandchild, Katherine Amy Song McCall into the family. Amy was preceded in death by her parents; and siblings Jesse Lee, Earleen Pettit, Robert Lee, Harvey Lee and Juanita Berry. Surviving siblings are her brother, Curtis Lee of Rochelle, Texas; and sister Marie Lacy of Las Cruces, N.M.; as well as numerous nieces and nephews who have kept in touch with her through the years. The family expresses their appreciation especially to Senior Care Center and Vista Care Hospice for the loving, compassionate care they gave to our loved one in her last days. We thank, too, hospice chaplain Ellen King and to friend Su Henderson for their faithful visits, and to Alan Prest, who was like a grandson to her, and who spent many hours reading poetry and composing poems with her and who has been so helpful to her and her family. A memorial service will be held at 11 a.m. Tuesday, Aug. 9, at First Christian Church, 29 N. Oakes, San Angelo, with Rev. Ben Hubert officiating. Preferred memorials can be given to Habitat for Humanity, the Concho Valley Regional Food Bank, Heifer Project International, CROP, Meals for the Elderly, First Christian Church, or the Amy E. Pettit Scholarship at Angelo State University. Family and friends may sign the online register book at Johnsons-funeralhome.com.