Shirley Jean Pettit, 87, of Mount Vernon, Illinois, passed away on November 18, 2022, at Mercy Hospital in Creve Coeur, Missouri.
She was born April 6, 1935, in Mount Vernon, Illinois to the late Carroll and Opal (Flota) King. Shirley married Wayne Pettit on April 10, 1955, in Mount Vernon, Illinois. They were blessed with fifty-eight years of marriage before he preceded her in death on April 12, 2013.
Shirley is survived by her daughters, Christy Stoltman and husband, Bob of Saint Louis, Missouri, Carylle Sue Rankin and husband, Gerald of Mount Vernon, Illinois; grandchildren, Anna Stoltman, RJ Stoltman, Kerstin Stoltman, and Jennifer Rankin; great-grandchild, Jadon Rankin; nephews, Billy Tom King and wife, Mary, Rodney King and wife, Dana, George Robert Lancaster; nieces, Ronda McDowell and husband, Mike, Melody Wilson and husband, Kevin, Miriam Brooks, Kathy Kirkpatrick; several great-nieces and great-nephews; and her Kitty, Tinkerbell.
In addition to her parents and husband, Shirley was preceded in death by her brother, Bill King, and sister-in-law, Betty King.
Mrs. Pettit started her career at the International Shoe Company. She went on to work at Woolworth’s, JCPenney’s, and the YMCA. Shirley started her own tour bus company called Shirley’s Shuttle. She was a member of the Red Hat Society, Home Extension, and a bowling league in her earlier days, and she was involved in the Girl Scouts. She was President of the PTA at Dr. Andy Hall school. Shirley was one of the oldest members at First Free Will Baptist Church in Mount Vernon. She enjoyed traveling, hospitality but above all, she enjoyed spending time with her grandchildren. Shirley was a loving mother and grandmother and will be greatly missed.
A Visitation will be held Friday, November 25, 2022, from 5:00 pm to 8:00 pm at First Free Will Baptist Church in Mount Vernon, Illinois. A Funeral Service will be held Saturday, November 26, 2022, at 11:00 am at First Free Will Baptist Church in Mount Vernon, Illinois with Pastor Craig Smith and Pastor David Shores officiating. Interment will follow at Mount Vernon Memorial Gardens in Woodlawn, Illinois. Memorials may be made in Shirley’s honor to First Free Will Baptist Church.
Call Hughey Funeral Home at 618-242-3348 or visit hugheyfh.com for further information.
