Ella Petty Sr

Obituary Loving, respectful, kindhearted, understanding, soft spoken, and graceful are just a few words that are expressed by those who have come to know Ella Mae Petty Sr. Ella Petty Sr. passed away on September 29, 2020 at Ashton Court Care and Rehabilitation Centre in Liberty Missouri at the age of ninety-four. On August 4, 1926, Ella was born in Tickfaw, Louisiana, to the parents of Walter and Carrie Lloyd. Of the six children born to Walter and Carrie, Ella was number three (Bessie, Wille, Ella, Walter Jr., Solomon, and David), and an adopted brother, Edward. Her parents and all but one sibling preceded her in death. Her brother Solomon was a birthday gift to Ella at the age of ten, they share the same birthday. Solomon still lives in their childhood city of Baton Rouge, Louisiana. She truly loved her parents, her siblings, and her childhood city. When Ella married Marion and became a mother with her own children, they would travel back to Baton Rouge (down home) every year to visit her family and show her children their heritage. As a teenager, Ella graduated high school and attended Southern University. Proud of her university training, she would always say, “when you go to Southern University, you will receive the knowledge to hold an intelligent conversation with anyone on any topic”. Southern University is also where Ella met the man of her dreams. Ella caught the eyes of Marion Petty, a good-looking, muscle strapped man from Kansas City at the university pursuing a medical career. Marion and Ella stood by one another for fifty-four years of marriage. Their union birthed eight children, (Carolyn, Bonita, Ella Jr., Marion Jr., Brenda, Nathaniel, Emmanuel, and Tawnya). Growing into adulthood was difficult for African Americans in the south during that time. After marriage, Ella and Marion moved out of state, but they were not alone. Ella and her big sister Bessie were like two peas in a pod, wherever one went the other would follow. The two married couples moved to Detroit Michigan, where the men found work and they started their families. After a few years in Detroit, both young families, now with children, moved to Kansas City, Missouri. Ella believed in the community and became active with neighborhood initiatives. She also served on the Parent Teacher Association (PTA) of her children’s schools. After her youngest child started school, Ella began working outside of the home to help support the family. With an aptitude for numbers, Ella held various positions at the Internal Revenue Service (IRS). There, she developed a friendship of a lifetime with Delores Drew. Ella and Delores helped one another in many ways. One way in particular was with their eyesight. With one of the ladies being nearsighted and the other farsighted, they would help the other by reading signage that was far away and the other would read the small print when they were together. Ella loves the Lord; her faith and prayers brought the family through some hard times. She held the position of Grand Matron with the Missouri Order of the Eastern Star. Ella enjoyed the church fellowship, attending Galilee Baptist Church, Park Avenue Baptist Church, and her last church home was with Rescue Baptist Church – Pastor W. T. Bland. While worshiping and partaking of the word of God, Mother Petty’s fondest position was as Mission Board President. Throughout her years at Rescue, she Obituary Final.docx would coordinate fund raising trips to The Great Passion Play in Eureka Springs Arkansas, as well as coordinating fund raising dinners at the church, Ella loved her church and Pastor and Sister Bland. She was gifted with the spoken word and the gift of song. She is now singing for the Lord in person. She leaves to mourn her passing: three daughters, Carolyn of Kansas City KS, Ella Jr. of Kansas City MO, Tawnya of Kansas City MO: her three sons, Marion Jr. of Kansas City MO, Nathaniel (Lois) of Grandview MO, Emmanuel (Benita) of Raytown MO; one brother, Solomon of Baton Rouge LA; two brother in-laws, Arthur of San Diego CA, William (Jeannette) of Rock Island IL; grandchildren including: Carmen, Andre, Kenneth Sr. (Rachelle), Melissa, Jenee, Marion III (Stephanie), Sierra, Taneesha, Shawntee, Taylor, LaTasha, Miesha (Kevin), Simone, Sydnie, Monique (Randy), Chevelle, Robert II, Terrell and a host of great-grandchildren, great-great-grandchildren, nieces, nephews, other relatives, extended family and friends. Ella Petty Sr. is a treasured woman, and we believe her life has demonstrated what a helpful daughter, supportive sister, loving wife, caring mother, graceful mother in-law and grandmother is to be. We are honored and proud to have called her “momma”, “grandma”. Public Visitation will be held from 9:00 AM to 10:30 AM on Friday, October 16th at the Watkins Heritage Chapel. A Private Funeral Service. Interment Forest Hill & Calvary Cemetery. Live Streaming can be viewed at MSTCsuncset.com To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Ella Petty Sr, please visit our floral store. Read More

Ella Petty Sr

August 4, 1926 - September 29, 2020