Margretta Smith Pettie

Margretta Elizabeth Smith Pettie was born on December 8, 1921 in Winston-Salem, North Carolina. She was the only child of the late Weldon and Dorothy Smith. Margretta’s mother passed away when she was an infant. Subsequently, she was raised by her grandparents Neilie Smith Hairston and Frank Hairston. She was predeceased by her beloved husband of 65 years, Porter Grant Pettie, in 2012. Margretta was educated in the public school system of Winston Salem, North Carolina and graduated from Atkins High school in 1938. She went on to graduate in 1942 from Winston Salem Teachers College (now WSSU) majoring in elementary education and minoring in music. She completed graduate studies at Columbia University in New York. Margretta was a faithful member of Mount Carmel Baptist Church for more than 50 years where she served on the Usher Board for a number of years. She had a heart for young people and devoted herself to education. Margretta was the founding chairperson of Mount Carmel’s Reverend McCreary Scholarship Fund that remains active. Margretta’s musical talents served her and the community well during her 40 year tenure in the Public School System. She nourished people around her with love, faith and music while providing the musical foundation for countless students, choirs, programs, assemblies and organizations. Many of her piano students have gone on to careers in music. She was active in many organizations. Among them were Richmond Retired Teachers, The Delvers Women’s Club, and Winston-Salem State Alumni Association. Margretta was a charter member of WSSU Alumni Chapter Richmond and remained active her entire life, making her the oldest living and active member until her recent passing. Margretta enjoyed traveling, socializing, duck pen bowling, and roller skating as long as her health and sight allowed. She loved music – classical, jazz, big band and religious. Her friends are young and old. The family remembers “Margie” fondly as a strong modern day woman with a kind and gentle heart and a spirit of adventure and zest for life and living. Her kindness was infectious. She was always ready for the next visit, gathering, trip, cruise, or musical. Her attitude was positive and her failed sight didn’t keep her from seeing the beauty around her. Margaretta was truly a devoted wife, mother and career teacher. On Thursday, May 19, 2016, Margretta quietly passed from her earthly home to her heavenly home where she is at peace with our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, and her family members and friends who have long awaited her coming. Margretta is survived by her son, Paul Grant Pettie; daughter-in-law, Paulette Breeze Pettie; devoted nephews, Dr. James McCain, Fredrick Smith (Jackie), William Smith and Wallace Prysock (Jody); niece, Catherine Pettie Hart (Barney); cousins, Gina Henderson and Nathaniel Henderson Jr.; great-nieces and nephews, a host of other relatives and friends. Although Porter and Margretta only had one natural son, they had many other children of the heart including Stephanie Cason, Cindy Hall, Michael Drew, Renee Bennett, Chandra Breeze, and adopted granddaughters, Alycia Allen, Crystal Bennett, Monique Bennett, Isheia Breeze, and Trinity Benjamin.

Tributes

Margretta Smith Pettie

December 8, 1921 - May 19, 2016