Willie Edward Petty

Mr. Willie Petty, age 77, of Eufaula, Alabama passed away Sunday, November 8, 2020.

Drive through viewing will be held on Thursday, November 12, 2020 4-6 PM at the funeral home.

Visitation will be Friday, November 13, 2020 from 11-11:50 AM at the Bread of Life Church of God in Christ, 303 East Boundary Street, Eufaula, Alabama 36027.

Processional to Chankey Penn Cemetery in Eufaula, Alabama will leave the Church at 12 Noon, and the Memorial Service will begin at 12:30 PM.

Willie Edward Russell-Petty began his earthly sojourn on July 26, 1943 and concluded that sojourn on November 8, 2020.

Willie Edward was nurtured and loved by his parents Estella Russell and Clifford Petty, in a home rooted in Christian values and love of family.  He received his early education in his native Eufaula.

At the tender age of eighteen, on September 10, 1961, he married the love of his life: Arrie Pearl Brown.  Theirs was a heroic love, which brought forth many blessings for the family they created and the community they lived in for almost 60 years.  The book of Genesis records that Father Abraham was blessed by God with seven sons.  Willie Edward and Arrie Pearl received that Biblical blessing and the great gift of two daughters, as well.

To know him was to know how deeply he loved Arrie Pearl, his nine children, 21 grandchildren, 10 great grandchildren and his entire family.  He was a provider and protector for them all and, as might be expected, took manly pride in those seven sons he called his "Petty Heads", even as his daughters stole his heart.  

To provide for his family, Mr. Petty worked at several businesses in Eufaula: American Buildings, Meade Paper Company and Dixie Shoe Factory.  He was an outdoorsman too, who used his hunting and fishing skills to support his family.  He was skilled in repairing machinery, from cars to household gadgets, and generously shared that skill with whoever called upon him.  After fixing whatever it was, he didn't mind sharing some Budweiser and stories with his friends.

The Petty home was full of love and children, their own, and the numerous friends and acquaintances of their children.  He was a surrogate father to many.  No person hungry or in need was ever turned away.  Willie Edward passed on the value of hard work to his children and he and Arrie Pearl also steeped them deeply in the life of faith as they were all committed and involved members at Brown Memorial Church of God in Christ.  He and Arrie Pearl's family were both deeply rooted in the Church for generations.  In his own unique way, Willie Edward's faith was firmly and gently lived.

The sparkle in his eyes intensified, even in illness, when he saw his bride of 59 years or heard one of his daughters, or sons, call him "Daddy".  This strong and good man, is commended back to his Heavenly Father this day with sadness but also with gratitude and joy that he lived among us and that he lived his life with such love for family and community and His God.  By God's grace and mercy, we trust that Willie Edward Russell-Petty heard the Lord say, "Well done good and faithful servant." To God be the Glory!

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