David C. Pettis, Sr. passed away on Tuesday, June 30, 2015, after an extended illness with Alzheimer’s disease at Ashley Glen Senior Living under the care of Serenity Hospice in Peachtree City, Ga. He was the son of the late Mr. & Mrs. P. R. Pettis, Sr. of Fayette, Ala.
He is predeceased by two brothers and sisters-in-law, P. R. Pettis, Jr. (Laura) of Auburn, Ala. and A. M. Pettis (Florence) of Venice, Fla.
He is survived by his wife of 61 years, Margaret Sowell Pettis Also surviving are three sons; David C. Pettis, Jr (Judy), Covington, Ga.; William C. Pettis (Lyndel), Brooks, Ga; Phillip P. Pettis of Atlanta, Ga. Four grandchildren; Christopher Pettis, (Rachel), Nicholas Pettis, Lindsey Pettis and Morgan Pettis. Two step grandsons; Randy Peters (Nicole) and Andy Peters (Stephanie). Also surviving is a brother Leon Pettis (Linda) of Beaumont, Texas. Other survivors include Clay Bethune, Alester Spears and several nieces and nephews.
Mr. Pettis was born in Evergreen, Ala. on November 11, 1931 and grew up in Fayette, Ala. He attended Auburn University where he graduated in 1954 with a BS degree in Chemistry. He then attended Tulane University before going into Officer Candidate School at the Coast Guard Academy in New London, Conn. where he was commissioned as a 2nd Lt. He served almost 5 years in the Coast Guard and was honorably discharged as a Lt Commander. Mr. Pettis went on to work for Abbott Laboratories for 32 years where he worked his way up to Regional Sales Manager. During this time the family moved several times around Florida and then to Libertyville, Ill., Denver, Colo., and then a final move to Dunwoody, Ga. Once retired, Mr. Pettis devoted his time to his family and to volunteer pursuits raising money for Cystic Fibrosis research and to delivering “meals on wheels” for over 13 years. A few years after retirement, Mr. Pettis and his wife settled in Fayetteville, Ga. to be closer to their grandchildren.
Private graveside services will be in the Abbeville Memorial Cemetery, Abbeville, Ala. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation, 2302 Parklake Dr. NE, #210, Atlanta, Ga. 30345.
Holman-Abbeville Mortuary & Cremations is in charge of arrangements – 334-585-5261. You may sign a guest register at www.holmanmortuaries.com.
