Jimmy Petty
James Howard “Jimmy” Petty, age 85, of Troy entered his Heavenly Home on Sept. 27, 2024, at AHC in Union City.
He was born on May 29, 1939, to Howard and Opal Davis Petty of Hornbeak.
Mr. Petty was a graduate of Hornbeak High School, where he was a member of the Hornbeak GreenWave Basketball Team. He enlisted in the U.S. Navy and upon his completion of service was given an Honorable Discharge from them. He worked at Reelfoot Packing Company, WestSide Builder’s Supply and retired from Goodyear Tire and Rubber Company after 30 years of service. He tended the family farm, where he raised black angus cattle, grew and harvested different crops throughout the years.
He was an active member of Sunswept Baptist Church in Union City, where he served as deacon, treasurer, Sunday School teacher and held many other jobs within the church. He was active with Gideons International and loved sharing his faith in Jesus Christ with anyone he encountered during his time on Earth. Mr. Petty was affectionately known by everyone as Papaw.
James is survived by his wife of 63 years, Bettie G. Petty; and two sons, Rusty (Laurie) Petty and Jeff (Laura) Petty. He has three grandchildren, Ashley (Jeremy) Smith, Carl (Beth) Petty and Morgan (Bailey) Patterson. He is also survived by many great-children, Skyler, Raiden and J.D. Smith, Lennon Patterson, Kaitlyn Rogers, Hunter Tolley and Hanna Tolley; and two great-great-grandchildren, Maelynn Houston and Amari Rogers. He is also survived by a brother, John Petty of Troy; and a special nephew, Charles Dailey of Martin.
Besides his parents, Mr. Petty was preceded in death by two brothers, Randall Petty of Hornbeak and Ronnie Petty of Union City; two sisters, Dorothy Mitchell of Tiptonville and Mabel Smith of Muskegon, Mich.; and one great-grandson, Tatum Patterson of Milan.
Visitation was held Saturday, Sept. 28, 2024, at White-Mahon Funeral Home in Troy from 5-8 p.m. and again Sunday, Sept. 29, 2024, from 1-2 p.m. A Celebration of Life service was held Sunday at the funeral home at 2 p.m. Interment followed at the New Ebenezer Cemetery near Troy. Bro. John Rhodes officiated.
Pallbearers were Billy Joe Griffin, Bailey Patterson, Carl Petty, Jesse Sampson, Tre Sampson and Jeremy Smith.
Donations can be made to Gideons International or St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital in lieu of flowers.
Published in The Messenger on 10.9.24