George Ferris (Tom) Pettey, 97, passed peacefully into his heavenly home, Tuesday, January 2, 2024, 4:20PM, in Sanctuary Hospice House, Tupelo, MS. He was born October 9, 1926, to Marks R. and Lyda Tolbert Pettey in Philadelphia, MS. He was a graduate of Philadelphia High School, Mississippi College, and The Teachers College of Columbia University. He married Robbie Beall on December 20, 1946. Tom was a WWII U.S. Army Air Force veteran. Following his military service, he worked as a teacher, high school principal or superintendent in Neshoba County Schools, Philadelphia City Schools, Tunica County Schools, and Drew MS Public Schools over a career spanning thirty-two years. Following his school systems retirement in 1980, Tom and Robbie served as Southern Baptist Mission Board Associate Missionaries in Nigeria, West Africa, from 1982 until 1989. On their return to Neshoba County following their missions work, they retired (again) and built a beautiful country home which “Granny” further beautified with her natural gift of flowers and shrubs. In retirement, Tom became interested in “more education” and began to audit courses at the University of Mississippi, Oxford. During the early part of his quest for more knowledge, they lived in a UM Married Student apartment and went home to Philadelphia on weekends. This continued until Granny decreed “If you are determined to go back to school, we need to just move to Oxford. This two households arrangement is too much.” So, in 1996 they moved to Oxford. In 2005, the Petteys moved to Pontotoc, MS, where their daughter Carol and her family reside. Always active in their Christian walks, they became faithful members of West Heights Baptist Church.
Mr. Pettey was preceded in death by his wife, Robbie, daughter, Carol, a brother, M.T. Pettey of Stormville, NY, and sister, Frances Pettey Parker of Tallulah, LA. He is survived by son, Thomas David Pettey of Ft. Worth, TX, brother, Joe Dan Pettey of Raleigh, NC, son-in-law, Fred Hood of Pontotoc, MS, granddaughters, Carol Ann Hood Boyette and Amy Hood English. Great-grandchildren include Preston Boyd Jones, Haley Marie Jones Wilson, Anna Scott Boyette, Alexandra Jane Boyette, and Ethyn Tyler English. He was especially proud of his great-great-grandchildren, Carter Boyd Jones, Riley Scott Jones, Walker Blake Jones, Decker Hayes English, Collins Jane Wilson, and Kaleb Grant Wilson.
Visitation for Mr. Pettey at West Heights Baptist Church, 328 W. Oxford Street, Pontotoc, MS, 10-11:00AM, Saturday, January 6, 2024, with service following at 11AM. Family only interment in Eastlawn Cemetery, Philadelphia, MS. Tutor Memorial Funeral Home of Pontotoc is in charge of arrangements.
In lieu of flowers, the family encourages you to consider a gift to Southern Baptist Foreign Missions, West Heights Baptist Church, or the charitable organization of your choice.
