Anna Katherine Pettit

Anna Katherine Robinson (Kitty) Pettit left this earth resting peacefully in her home in Charlottesville on February 8, 2026, with her children by her side. She was born October 18, 1936, the middle child of Marvin Harold and Velma Louella Dodson Robinson in Waterlick, VA. She is survived by her children, Lauren Corder Pettit Harper (Allen) and Laurence Craven Pettit, III (Susan); four grandchildren, Taylor Harper (Andrea), Witt Harper (Rebecca), Madeline Pettit-Jackson (Merric) and Alicia Katherine Pettit. She is also survived by four great-grandchildren, her younger sister, Cindy Robinson Parker and four nephews. She was preceded in death by her husband, Laurence C. Pettit, Jr, and her older sister, Betty Robinson Himes.

Growing up, she played basketball and participated in church activities at Strasburg Methodist Church. She graduated from Strasburg High School in June 1955 and then enrolled in the Winchester Memorial Nursing School. There were seven in her class and it was one of these classmates that arranged for her have a blind date with a young man from Front Royal named Laurence Pettit. They married on March 9, 1957, and remained inseparable until his passing in September 2024.

After graduating from Nursing school in November 1958, Kitty and Larry resided in Front Royal and started a family. In 1961 they decided to move to Blacksburg, VA so that Larry could resume his education at V.P.I. During this time, Kitty was employed by the college's veterinary research unit and Radford Hospital. Larry graduated in 1964 and they moved to Lafayette, Louisiana where Larry began his teaching career at the University of Southwestern Louisiana. In 1966, they had an opportunity to return to Virginia and moved to Charlottesville so that Larry could pursue a doctoral degree at the University of Virginia.

In Charlottesville they joined Meadows Presbyterian Church; this was their church home for 60 years. Kitty served as an elder in the church and was a faithful member of numerous committees. Kitty loved her Meadows family.

Kitty was a true nursing professional working for the Children & Youth Project of the Department of Pediatrics, the newborn intensive care unit and as a staff nurse in the outpatient department at UVA Hospital and as a field supervisor for the Shenandoah Professional Standards Review Foundation.

Kitty and Larry enjoyed being supportive of their children as they grew up in the Charlottesville community, watching many football, basketball, and baseball games over the years, encouraging participation in church youth and girl scout activities and allowing them to love many pets. Like their parents, Lauren and Larry developed many life-long friendships along the way.

Kitty's stewardship and faith were extended on a regular basis to her four grandchildren, all of whom had individual and unique relationships with "Granny Kat." She went the extra mile for those grandchildren and all of them received their own special counseling as they grew into adulthood; she was the best "life coach" ever.

In her spiritual life, Kitty had a broad network of lifelong friends. To quote Kitty, "to have a friend, you must be a friend." Kitty will be remembered as an independent thinker and a determined soul. Her gift was knowing how best to help others; this was a gift developed early in her life and made her the very special lady that we all enjoyed knowing. She often reminded us to "be kind and pray often." Larry was a professor who served the University for over 40 years and mentored many students. Together, they were a great duo.

Lauren and Larry III, and their families want to thank the many neighbors, friends and the church family that watched over Kitty as her life journey neared its end. We want to extend a very special thank you to Mary Lloyd for the patient and loving care she shared with Ms. Kitty since December 2024. Kitty and her children so appreciated the attentive care provided by Dr. Dave Chesler and his staff and the kind support of Legacy Hospice.

A memorial service is scheduled for Saturday, the 28th of March, at 11 a.m. at Meadows Presbyterian Church, 2200 Angus Rd., Charlottesville, VA 22901. The family requests donations in Kitty's honor be made to Meadows Presbyterian Church, 2200 Angus Rd., Charlottesville, VA 22901 or the Charlottesville Albemarle SPCA, 3355 Berkmar Dr., Charlottesville, VA 22901. God Bless Kitty!