He was born June 12, 1926, the son of the late Charlie W. &dquo;Fide&dquo; Petty and Clara Reavis Petty, parents of 13 children. He was the last of the immediate family. He was married to Evelyn D. Petty.

During his early years he attended Polk County Schools and was a member of Stony Knoll CME Church. He served a tour of duty during WWII.

He helped to build Hatch Mill, a Milliken Plant in Columbus. He was then employed there and held various positions over a period of 42 years. After retiring from the Hatch Plant, he worked part-time for Carolina Yarn Processing until his health failed him.

His number one past-time was hunting. At one time, he had as many as 30 beagles knowing each one by name and bark (so he said). Distance running with the Polk County Striders was another of his joys, placing 1st or 2nd in the 55-60 age category.

So treat others the way you wanted to be treated was the slogan he lived by. He will be sadly missed by his wife, Evelyn Davenport Petty of the home, and David Gary (Geven) of Forest City, a stepson Robert Petty (Sirvinual) of Forest City, a stepdaughter Sandra Forney-Carson of Inman, S.C. Also seven grandchildren, eight step-grandchildren, 11 great-grandchildren, 6 great-step-grandchildren and many nieces and nephews and friends.

Funeral services will be held Friday, October 30 at Green Creek Missionary Baptist Church on Coxe Road in Green Creek at 2 p.m.

Rev. William Phillips, Rev. Eleanor Miller and Rev. Archie Twitty, Jr. will officiate.

The family will receive friends at 1 p.m. at the church. Burial will be at Stony Knoll CME Church, Mill Spring.

Ulysses D. Miller Funeral Services, Rutherfordton.