Cristy LeeAnn Holland Pettay was born on November 16, 1973. Her parents are Richard and Georgette Holland, her brother is Bradley Richard Holland, her grandparents were Tom and Carra Holland and George and Nell Maxie.
Cristy was born in Nashville. She moved with her parents to Jackson at age 5 and to Sardis at age 12. She attended Sardis Elementary School, Southside Elementary School and Scotts Hill High School. She was a lifelong member of Sardis Methodist Church where she served as a youth teacher and as church treasurer.
Cristy was married to Patrick Pettay on July 24, 2004. Cristy and Pat were blessed with a nephew Bradley Gage in 2007 and their own son Cooper Lee in 2009.
Cristy worked in banking for a number of years. She completed her BS degree in Education from UT-Martin and worked as a first grade teacher at Scotts Hill Elementary School. Teaching was not really work for her. She thoroughly enjoyed seeing her young first grade students succeed in their learning.
Beginning in 2007, Cristy’s life revolved around her nephew Gage and her son Cooper. Cooper was an avid baseball player and Cristy and Pat were present for almost every game he played.
Cristy was diagnosed with cancer in December, 2022 and spent a year and a half fighting that disease. She made trips to Memphis and Houston for treatments and doctor visits. Patrick stayed by her side during her illness.
Cristy passed away at Jackson General Hospital on August 27, 2024 at the age of 50. She leaves her husband Patrick, her son Cooper, her nephew Gage, her brother Bradley and her parents. She also leaves Patrick’s parents, Dan and Suzanne Pettay and Chuck and Nancy Weber.
Cristy had many old friends, new friends, family members, neighbors, co-workers and extended family that she loved and cherished. She was blessed with her friend and co-worker at Scotts Hill Elementary, Alisha Harrington.
Cristy’s greatest accomplishment was being a mother to her son Cooper and her nephew Gage. These two boys brought great joy to her life and they will forever remember her love for them.
Cristy will be buried at Sardis Cemetery next to her beloved grandmother, Mama Nell.
