Katherine Abigail Neyman Pettigrew's Obituary
Katherine Abigail Neyman Pettigrew closed her eyes to rest and peacefully went to be with Jesus on December 9th, 2021. It has brought great comfort to our family to know that she was here with us in one breath, and in Heaven with the next. Words overflow like a fount for our precious “Sunshine” – wife, mother, daughter, sister, and friend who lived a beautifully poetic life from start to end. Some people only walk this earth for a short time and their early departure reminds us that angels are watching over us.
Abigail was born on July 17th, 1989, to Todd Neyman and Angela York, in Memphis, Tennessee. The name Abigail means ‘cause of joy’. She spent many of her younger years with her Grandma Neyman who said Abigail always lived up to her names meaning. When Abigail was born, the immediate love her family had for her was overwhelming. Abigail made her mark on this world as big sister to her beloved siblings Garrett Angelici, Savannah Angelici, Rachel Neyman, and Audrey Neyman. Abigail loved being the oldest of her crew and she never let an opportunity slide to remind everyone of that honor!
When Abigail was young, she excelled in school. She was a bright and colorful light as a young child. She was active in church and sports, where she never met a stranger. She had a smile that could light up the whole room. Abigail always smiled so big when her photo was taken and the funny faces she would make were always so animated. She loved to sing her “song” with Grandma Neyman at bedtime— “I love you a bushel and a peck and a hug around the neck and I’m talking in my sleep about you— yes you!”
On the evening of her high school graduation, fate stepped in and Abigail met the love of her life and now husband of 13 years, Madison Pettigrew. In the early years of their love story, the two shared an insatiable excitement for life, a spirit of true joyfulness, and an undeniable love for fast motorcycles and each other. The pair married on May 16, 2009. Once married, Abigail joined the Pettigrew Family as a beloved “favorite daughter in love” to Marty and Michelle and “sister” to Morgan and Daniel Pettigrew.
Abigail graduated from the University of Memphis in 2012 with a Bachelor of Science in Education with a 440 teacher certification. She began teaching in 2012 with Memphis City Schools. She was passionate about inner city kids and making a difference. Her last teaching assignment was at Cherokee Elementary under the leadership of Sunya Payne. After leaving her position at Cherokee Elementary, Abigail worked in the family business where she took great pride in being part of The Pettigrew Firm, Pettigrew Adventures, and Arnold Rental.
Abigail loved children, which was a large part of why she chose to pursue a teaching career. Bringing happiness to others was her true joy in life. In June of 2017, Abigail gave birth to her beautiful red haired son, Joseph Pettigrew. Shortly after in January of 2019, she gave birth to a second beautiful red haired son, Thomas Pettigrew. Abigail would undoubtedly tell you that giving birth to her two sons were two of the best moments of her life. Abigail took a step back from the working world to stay home with her sweet boys and there was no greater joy than being their mother. She was a dedicated mother and she treasured her children and embraced every moment with them. There are so many things Abigail would want those boys to know, but one thing we know for certain, they have a guardian angel that will move mountains to protect them, even from heaven.
Abigail is survived by her adoring husband, Madison David Pettigrew and their two sons Joseph David Pettigrew and Thomas Edwin Pettigrew. Her loved ones that cleared the path for Abigail are her loving grandparents— Edwin “Buddy” L. Neyman (Phyllis) and Sandra Vaughn Neyman, Marcella “Marcy” Howerter and Larry Howerter, her dedicated parents— Joseph Todd Neyman, Sandra B. Neyman, and Angela York, her adoring siblings Garrett Angelici, Savannah Angelici, Rachel Neyman Wilford, and Audrey Elizabeth Neyman and her second family in love— Marty and Michelle Pettigrew, Morgan Pettigrew, and Daniel Pettigrew.
Abigail had a vivacious spirit and had this way about her that just made you want to laugh. There is a reason she was affectionately known as our sunshine. Abigail was a wonderful person with a huge heart, who loved all of her friends and family fiercely, and who cared deeply about everyone. She encouraged us all to be more kind, more accepting, less judgmental, and to love others profoundly. She taught us that you can be soft and successful, a traditionalist and a rebel, a lover and a fighter, vulnerable and invincible. Her capacity to love others competes with the depths of the oceans and the soul-fire of stars. At times, this made her crash into others like a meteorite, but you never had to doubt if she loved you, because you always knew she did. There will never be another Abigail Pettigrew because she was unrepeatable. We know that she is up there in heaven raising a little hell and while we miss her more than words could ever explain, we are thanking God that her love will last a lifetime in our hearts.
To view Abigail's service online, please click on the link below:
http://webcast.funeralvue.com/events/viewer/65637
What’s your fondest memory of Katherine?
What’s a lesson you learned from Katherine?
Share a story where Katherine's kindness touched your heart.
Describe a day with Katherine you’ll never forget.
How did Katherine make you smile?
