Pastor Bruce Edward Petty

Pastor Bruce Edward Petty, age 68, of Sanford, NC entered eternal rest on Wednesday, April 23, 2025, at UNC Hospitals in Chapel Hill, NC.

The Obituary

Pastor Bruce Edward Petty was born on June 8, 1956, to the late Rush and Sadie Petty in Sanford, NC.

Pastor Petty's thirty years of ministerial experience first began at McQueen’s Chapel UMC in Sanford, NC while serving many years there in Laity where he became a Certified Lay Servant.  Pastor Petty continued to prepare himself for the calling upon his life and obtained his pastoral license in 2008.  In July of 2013 Pastor Petty received his Certificate of Attainment under the Division of Ordained Ministry in cooperation with Duke Divinity School. Pastor Petty continued to serve in other capacities by becoming a member of The Board of Ordained Ministry and the Executive Board in 2019 and began fulfilling the position of Chairperson of Licensed Local Pastors in the Fairway district of the NC Conference.  His greatest love was being the Pastor of Trinity United Methodist Church where he served for twenty-one years, from Nov. 2003 until God called him home. Outside of serving at Trinity UMC, Pastor Petty ministered God's Word by way of radio ministry, weekly on WXKL 1290 AM during the “Ask the Pastor” segment.  He served on the board of the Bread of Life, He also carried out Bible Study services at Sanford Rehabilitation Center, in addition he volunteered as a Chaplin at Moore Regional Hospital.

Pastor Petty was a man after God’s own heart.  He loved the Lord, and it showed in the life he lived.  Pastor never met a stranger and always wore an “organic smile”.  He possessed a sincere love for God’s house and God’s people and a special love for Trinity and the members God entrusted to him.  He was a faithful Pastor, an amazing father and a loving husband.  His presence is greatly missed.  We know he is resting in the bosom of Jesus Christ, he has sent up his timber and now walking the streets of gold.  Pastor Petty was a true Man of God, that impacted many lives and lived as a true disciple of Christ.  He always shared the Word of God with everyone he met, his favorite words to quote were “we walk by faith and not by sight”.  Pastor Petty was loved and will be greatly missed, we loved him, but God loved him best.    

Pastor Bruce Petty was preceded in death by his parents, Rush and Sadie Petty; brothers, Rush Petty Jr, James Arthur Petty, Sylvester Petty; and one sister, Betty Petty. 

Pastor Bruce Petty leaves to cherish his memory, his wife of forty-eight years, Karen Petty; daughters, Schlonda Williams (Stacey), Shamekia Petty, and Tawanna Marsh (Troy) all of Sanford, NC; grandsons, John Thomas Brooks Jr, Aaron Petty, and Justice Brown all of Sanford, NC; granddaughters, Amayah Brown, Deciyah Murchison of Sanford, NC and Tara Robinson of Hazlehurst, MS; great grandchildren, Kolton Petty of Sanford, NC, Sumoria Robinson, and Telia Robinson of Hazlehurst, MS, brothers, Melvin Petty (Barbara) of Sanford, NC, Terry Petty (Sedonia) of Valdosta, GA, Jefferson Petty (Renee) of Charlotte, NC; sisters, Caroyln Epps (William), and Michelle Buckhanon (Sammie) of Newport News, VA: stepmother, Francis Petty of Wilmington, NC; stepsister, Monica Sanders (Johnny) of Fayetteville, NC; stepbrother, O’Neill Bellamay of Wilmington, NC; sisters-in-law, Falisha Petty of Sanford, NC and Rochelle Petty of Bronx, NY; along with a host of nieces, nephews and other relatives.

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Professional services entrusted to Knotts Funeral Home-Sanford, NC