Martha Jeanne Pettes' Obituary
Martha Jeanne Norton Pettes, 87, passed into God’s arms on September 14, 2014 after a long and brave battle with cancer. She was born in 1926 in Millington, TN where she became Homecoming Queen in the 9th grade before moving with her family to Memphis. She began attending Rhodes College (then Southwestern), but left early after falling in love with her husband to be, James H. Pettes, Sr. They married in 1947 and eventually had a son, James H. Pettes, Jr. Martha Jeanne’s first job was as a Legal Secretary for David Ballon. Later, after taking time to raise her son, Jim, she worked as the Executive Assistant to Joseph Goodman of Julius Goodman & Son Jewelers until her Retirement. She was very intelligent and a voracious reader all of her life. She was a loving wife, a wonderful and always reliable Mother, and a devoted daughter. She took great pride in helping her son to graduate from Vanderbilt University. During her battle with cancer, she was strong and fearless (as she had been throughout her life) and she lived much longer than anyone other than her son believed was possible. Her son took care of her always and was by her side when she passed away at home in peace, as she wanted. She was preceded in death by her husband, James H. Pettes, Sr and her parents, as well as, her brother-like cousin, Bert Minyard. She is survived by her son, James H. Pettes, Jr and her sister-like cousin-in-law, Lee Minyard. Her son will receive Family and Friends for visitation at Memorial Park Funeral Home and Cemetery on Monday Evening, September 22, from 5-7 pm. A Private Burial Service will be held the following morning, Flowers are welcome (she loved them) or Memorials may be made to the Wounded Warriors Project or WKNO Memphis (local PBS).
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