Joe David Petty died Friday, April 22, 2016 at the North Mississippi Medical Center at the age of 83. He was born April 30, 1932 to Joe R. Petty and Beulah Langford Petty in Adaton, MS in Oktibbeha County. After graduating from Starkville High School, he joined the United States Marine Corps in 1952. In 1953, during the Korean War, he was wounded by artillery shrapnel and spent three months in the hospital. He was discharged in 1954 on a medical discharge and was awarded the Purple Heart. He then attended Mississippi State University and Jackson Commercial Business College, where he earned his Accounting Degree. While in college he met and married his wife, Linda. They have been married for 59 years. Joe worked for Kraft Foods in Jackson in the accounting department for 1 ½ years before being transferred to Memphis where he became a member of the sales force. After seven years, he was transferred to Corinth where they spent another twelve years before being promoted to Account Executive and transferring to Tupelo in 1976. He spent 36 years in sales and retired at the age of sixty due to his health. He loved to hunting, fishing and Mississippi State football, baseball and basketball. He was involved in the Marine Core League, the American Legion and the Veterans Memorial Park. He was a member of West Jackson Street Baptist Church.
Services will be 2 PM Wednesday at Lee Memorial Funeral Home Chapel with Bro. Bert Harper officiating. Burial with Military Honors will follow in Lee Memorial Park. Lee Memorial Funeral Home is entrusted with the arrangements.
He is survived by his wife, Linda Petty of Tupelo; two sons, Jeff Petty (Lori) and Larry Petty all of Tupelo; one sister, Josephine Teasley of Columbus; four grandchildren, Kevin Petty (Cassie), Molly Kendall (David), Cala Petty and Jennifer Petty; four great-grandchildren, Taylor Petty, Delilah Petty, Stella Petty and Dawson Kendall.
He was preceded in death by his parents;
Pallbearers will be the Marine Corpe League.
Visitation will be 5 – 8 Tuesday and 1 – 2 Wednesday.
