Helen Marie (Brandon) Petty

Mrs. Helen Marie Petty, age 94 of Sanford, NC transitioned into eternal rest on Wednesday, September 1, 2021, at Westfield Nursing Home in Sanford NC.

Helen Marie Petty, the daughter of the late Theodore Brandon and Gertrude Taylor Brandon, was born December 2, 1926 in Kittrell, North Carolina.  Helen was called home to be with the Lord on September 1, 2021 at Westfield Rehabilitation & Health Center at the age of 94 years.  Helen was a loving wife, mother, grandmother and great grandmother.  She loved to have her family around her and she particularly loved to cook for them.  She had a very contagious laugh that would make you laugh and you would have no clue what you were laughing about.

She was preceded in death by her parents (Theodore & Gertrude), her husband (Jeff), her sons, Jeff (Stony) and James, five sisters:  Hazel, Gertie, Rosa, Ethel Mae and one unnamed and three brothers:  Johnny, Theodore and Thurston and a daughter-in-law, Bonita.

Helen worked in laundries in Henderson, North Carolina.  She moved to Philadelphia, PA in 1959 with her family.  While in Philadelphia she worked in a laundry and did part-time work in Social Services and she baby sat in her home.  Upon her return to North Carolina she moved to Sanford and joined McQueens Chapel United Methodist Church where she sang on the Combined and the Adult Choirs and worked with the children’s ministry for a little while.  She worked part-time for Social Services and then became a permanent full time employee until her retirement.  Upon retirement she began to watch her neighbor’s two daughters. 

Helen was united in marriage to Jeff Petty on November 27, 1945, until his death.  They were happily married for 67 wonderful years.  From this union they were blessed with three beautiful children Jeff, Helen and James Sr.  She was the caretaker for her husband during his illness until his demise in 2012.

She leaves to cherish her memory, her daughter Helen Woodard (George, Deceased) from Philadelphia, PA, her brother Joseph Brandon (Ruby) of Kittrell, NC; sister-in-laws, Jeannette and Katie; one daughter-in-law, Viola Petty (James, deceased) of Atlanta GA,  five grandchildren:  JC (Tisa) of Brandywine, MD, James, Jr. (Tina) of New Jersey, Glynis (Michael) of Philadelphia, PA, Jamal (Ebony) of Philadelphia, PA, and Janelle (Miles) of Athens, GA; seven great grandchildren, Jamaal, Tayler, James, Ally, Alexandria, Jamal and Harper; one great great grandson, Titus and a host of nieces, nephews and friends.

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