Mary Frances Petty

1925 - 2007

BORN

1925

DIED

2007

Mary Petty Obituary

Miss Mary Frances Petty, 81, of Roanoke, died peacefully at her home Sunday, April 15, 2007. She was born November 8, 1925 in Huntington, W.Va. Miss Petty was a graduate of Jefferson Senior High School, and Roanoke College. She taught English at Northside High School for 28 years, where she served as Chairman of the English Department. She retired from Roanoke County Schools in 1990. Miss Petty was a former member of Delta Kappa Gamma Society International for Women Educators. She served as a volunteer for the Roanoke Chamber of Commerce. She was a member of Raleigh Court Presbyterian Church. She was preceded in death by her father, Dr. Wiley Walton Petty, her mother, Elizabeth Davis Petty, and her grandparents, Dr. and Mrs. John Allen Davis, Jr. She is survived by "The Twins", Nancy Ray Nettles Paul and her sons, C. Barrow, and Westray Rives, and Mary Earle Nettles Stallings, and her husband, Craige; their sister, Fredericka Nettles Aubert, and her husband, Mark, and their children, Zachary, Amara and Micah. Special acknowledgements to Marion Raney, who served as her financial manager; Clinette Harris, Denise Campbell, and Gloria Daye, her special caregivers who enabled her to stay in her beloved home. Funeral service will be 10 a.m. Thursday, April 19, 2007 at her home. The Rev. F. Tupper Garden to officiate. Interment will follow at 2:30 p.m. at Oakwood Cemetery in Charlottesville. The family will receive friends with a reception from 3 to 6 p.m. Friday at her home. Memorials may be made to Raleigh Court Presbyterian Church, 1837 Grandin Rd. SW, Roanoke, Va. 24015. Arrangements by Oakey's Roanoke Chapel.

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Published by Roanoke Times from Apr. 17 to Apr. 18, 2007.

Memories and Condolences
for Mary Petty

8 Entries

Brenda Booker

July 28, 2019

Miss Petty was one of my supervising teachers when I student taught at Northside High School way back in the 60's. I must say that she really took on an insurmountable job with me!! Although my undergraduate training had given me more than enough subject matter in my area of teaching, it had done a poor job preparing me actually to teach. Being only a few years older than my students and looking younger than many of them, it was Miss Petty who got me and the students through those days. I went on to teach at Heritage High School for many years, and Miss Petty would have been proud to know that during my career, I served as Departmental Chairman as well as taught Advanced Placement English 12. She and Mrs. Russo were two ladies I admired tremendously and to whom I will forever be grateful.

TAMEISHA MCNEAL

April 24, 2007

I WANT TO EXPRESS MY DEEPEST SYMPATHY TO THE FAMILY AND ALL WHO CARED FOR THE BELOVED MRS.PETTY. I AM ONE OF THE CERTFIED NURSING ASSITANT, THAT PROVIDED CARE FOR MRS. PETTY FOR A LITTLE OVER A YEAR. I GAINED ALOT OF RESPECT AND LOVE FOR A SHORT PERIOD OF TIME. I REMEMBER ALL THE TIME WE SPENT TOGETHER AND I WILL NEVER FORGET HOW HER EYES BRIGTHENED AS SHE SAW MY SON.

Jim Beavers

April 18, 2007

I have wonderfully fond memories of Miss Petty at Northside High School. Bless her heart, she had the unenviable task of teaching me grammar. But, she met the challenge with vigor and seemingly limitless patience, and I am so grateful to have had her as a teacher. As the years went on, she also became a friend to me when I became a fellow educator. She really cared about all of her students and worked hard to make us better writers--and better people. I am forever grateful. God rest your soul, Miss Petty.

laurie platt

April 18, 2007

My thoughts and prayers are with the family of Miss Petty, I recalled she lived on Carter Rd., next door to my grandparents and remember her and her mother.

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Reed Hopkins

April 17, 2007

My thoughts and prayers are with the family of Miss Petty. She was a force not to be trifled with, and as a result, I learned a lot in her class. I thank God for her and her influence on young people.

Robert Sesco

April 17, 2007

I must be one of very many who valued the guidance, patience, and friendship of my English teacher, Ms. Petty. What a special lady. Her influence now resonates outwardly, generation to generation, beginning with those students who absorbed her teaching, her discipline, and her caring. Ms. Petty lived the life of a great teacher, and I benefited immensely from knowing her. I only hope I haven't dangled a participle or split an infinitive somewhere, or else I'm sure to hear of it...

Cathy Cook

April 17, 2007

I fondly remember Miss Petty. There has hardly been a day in the past 30+ years when reading or writing that I haven't thought of Miss Petty as I considered "who or whom" or "I or me" and even how to arrange a sentence so the preposition wasn't hanging on the end. Miss Petty also taught me that if I ever had children they would be reared and not raised like the chickens. Though her earthly life has ended, Miss Petty will forever live in my mind and I will continue to often think of her impact on my life. May God's peace bring you comfort as you grieve the loss of a very special person.

susan smith

April 17, 2007

My prayers are with the family and friends. Miss Petty taught me at Northside High in the early 80's. she made a lasting impression on me. Godspeed Miss Petty

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