Fay Jean Pettus

Fay Jean Zaner Pettus, 96, passed peacefully surrounded by her family on September 12th, 2025, at Regional Medical Center, Anniston, AL. She transitioned from her earthly home to her new home in Heaven and is now in the presence of God. Visitation was held September 16th at Liberty Hill Congregational Methodist Church, Heflin, AL. The service followed. The Officiants were Reverends Philip Morris and Gary Cox. Entombment was at Forestlawn Gardens and Mausoleum following the service. Dryden Funeral Home was in charge of the arrangements. Honorary pallbearers were her nephews, Mike Zaner (Robin), Perry Zaner (Dawn), Terry Zaner, Jeffrey Zaner (Christine), Dean Zaner, and Greg Dempsey, (Gina). During the service, Mrs. Pettus' daughter-in-law, Pamela Pettus, read David Harkins poem "She is Gone". This poem offers two paths for processing grief. We can focus on the loss of our mother and be sorrowful or we can choose to celebrate the wonderful life our mother lived. We can replace our despair with gratitude by thanking God for the precious mother He gave us. We can cherish our memories and do what Mother would want us to do - keep smiling, laughing, loving, and serving our Lord. Mrs. Pettus was born on March 9th, 1929, in Tuscaloosa, AL, to her parents Lee Buron Zaner Sr. and Hattie Leona Haywood Zaner. While living in Tuscaloosa her father studied music under a University of Alabama professor. But his greatest passion was to own a farm. So the family moved to rural Heflin, AL. He continued his love of music and taught music classes. He was an accomplished organist and highly sought to play at area church services. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her two sons, Lowery Kieth Pettus and Brian Craig Pettus; and grandson, Bradley Thomas Crosson. Her siblings and their spouses, John Cranston Zaner (Lucille), Wilton Gleason Zaner (Katie), Lee Buron Zaner Jr., Lila Ree Zaner Dempsey (Billy), Lyndon Larry Zaner (Brenda); nephews, Richard Cranston Zaner and John Lamar Zaner; nieces, Jana Lou Zaner McNally Butts, Pamela Denise Zaner Butler, and Susan Denise Zaner Wysner. She is survived by her daughter, Deborah Fay Pettus Crosson, and a granddaughter Meredith Leigh Crosson both of Anniston, AL Also, a granddaughter Meredith Alicia Pettus Keeling Moss of Corona, CA, and three (3) great grandchildren.. She is also survived by her daughter-in-law Pamela Swaney Pettus of Dallas, Georgia. Other survivers include her nieces, Karen Zaner McNally Grimmel (William) of Pensacola, Florida, Angela Denise Dempsey Thomas (Todd) of Summerville, Georgia, Zella Kay Zaner Day (Barry) of Fruithurst, Alabama, Emmie Wooten Zaner, Heflin, AL, and Sheila Johns Zaner of Pelham, AL. Mrs.Pettus graduated from Cleburne County High School, Class of 1947 and was a proud member of the Tiger Band. She attended Ayers State Technical College where she studied Office Administration. She was a member of Liberty Hill Congregational Methodist Church where she served as organist and choir member for many years. Together, Mrs. Pettus and fellow church member, Mrs. Doris Mason, founded the Women's Fellowship Circle (WFC) in 2007. It continues to minister to the church family as well as area homebound and nursing home patients. The WFC also provides sponsorship for children to attend summer church camp and provides assistance to various local charities and families in need. Mrs. Pettus worked various jobs in her lifetime and retired from Sewell Manufacturing Company with 29 years of service. After she retired, she continued working the next 20 years in several antique shops. Most of all she enjoyed working at Apple Barrel Antiques where she met people from around the world and became very knowledgeable of antiques and collectables. She was forever grateful to the owners, Michael and Evelyn Cheatwood, for the opportunity to work at Apple Barrel. She immensely enjoyed working with a multitude of antique dealers, as well as her special coworkers whom she dearly loved. At the age of 85 she left Apple Barrel to spend her later years with family . and friends. Her favorite pastimes were cooking, sewing, traveling, shopping, and feeding birds. She had a heart for animals and could not resist a stray cat, which led to 29 cats. With the help of her granddaughter, Meredith Leigh who also loves animals; found forever homes for all but 3, leaving them for Grandmother to enjoy. She spent many, many hours pampering and playing with Meredith's fur baby, Ellie Mae. She was as protective of Ellie Mae as any grandmother could be of their grandchild. Several times it was necessary to request ambulance service. Ellie would get in the middle of the paramedics as her way of protecting Grandmother. You can be assured that the paramedics gave Ellie due respect and Ellie did them. Mrs. Pettus was a very loving and nurturing mother. She introduced her children to music at an early age as she played the piano for the children to sing at church. Her youngest child, Brian, was so small that he stood on the piano bench where he could be seen and heard. There are no words to describe the wonderful mother she was. But the following prose entitled "To Our Mother" gives an inkling. The name of the writer is unknown. "We have had hard times but have never been alone. We have had doubts and fears, but we have never been without someone to tell us we could make it. We have had disappointments but we have never been without an example to follow - someone who went before us and made her way in the world with courage and strength. We have had good days, bad days, and days in between, but we have never been without love." Due to her husband being in a very unfortunate accident, she raised her children alone. As a single parent she prayed, asking God to allow her to see her children grow into adulthood. To God be all Honor and Glory for answering her prayer. The family would like to offer their sincere appreciation to Enhabit Hospice whose services and care were above and beyond anything imagined. Also, to caregivers Tammy Wolf and Leana Behel who played a very important role in providing not only care, but fellowship that led to a special bond of friendship.