Arsenia "Arsie" Aranda Valeros Pettit

Arsenia “Arsie” Pettit, age 81, of Gulfport, passed away on Monday, September 5, 2022 at the Armed Forces Retirement Home.

Arsenia was born in Manila, Philippines on January 26, 1941, and was raised in Pasuquin, Ilocos Norte by her grandmother.  Her parents, Anacleto Aranda and Carmen Cacal Aranda, came to the U.S. in 1947 and she followed them in 1958 at age 17.  Arsenia attended Pasuquin Provincial High School and then Philippine Normal College (now University) in Manila.  After arriving in New Orleans, Louisiana she enrolled at Spencer Business College.  Upon receiving her U.S. citizenship in 1964, she took the U.S. Civil Service test and started her career in the federal government.  Arsenia retired in 1999 with 33 years of service which included the US Treasury Department in Washington, DC, the U.S. Attorney's Office in New Orleans, and mostly as a civilian employee of the U.S. Navy (because her husband moved around serving in the U.S. Navy located in Charleston, SC, Norfolk, VA, Solomons, MD, Subic Bay, Philippines, and New Orleans, LA).  Arsenia also served in the military as a reservist in the U.S, Navy and she retired in 2001 after 20 years of service. Among her orders for active duty were London, England, Seoul, South Korea, Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, and Subic Bay Philippines. Arsenia received many designations, awards, and other recognition such as, the Federal Civil Service Civilian Award (numerous times), Service Appreciation Awards (numerous times) for New Orleans Filipino-American Lions Club and naval personnel support activity, Outstanding Performance Award for U.S. Attorney’s Office, Sailor of the Year Award, U.S. Navy & Marine Corps. Achievement Medal, U.S. Navy Achievement Medal, Meritorious Service Medal, and National Defense Service Medal.

Arsenia was a member of the New Orleans Filipino-American Lions Club, The Filipino American Women's Association of Louisiana, the Filipino-American Association of St. Tammany Louisiana (FAAST), and the Camellia Dance Troupe. She enjoyed singing in church, Filipino folk dancing, cooking, ceramics, and painting.

Arsenia was preceded in death by her parents, Anacleto and Carmen Aranda; first husband, Alberto Valeros; second husband, Richard Pettit; step-daughter, Jeannie Brou; daughter-in-law, Lisa Valeros; and sister, Shirly "Choo-Choo" Aranda.

Survivors include her sons, Eddie Valeros and David Valeros (Veronica); step-son, Gary Pettit (Jane); step-son-in-law, Ronald "Shorty" Brou; grandchildren, Eddie "EJ" Valeros (Janna), Lena Valeros, Angelica Small (Malcolm), Daniel Valeros (Hannah), Caitlyn Valeros, Belinda Pettit, Victoria "Tori" Pettit Parker (John), Michael "Mikey" Roberson (Heather), Jason Roberson, Paul Brou (Erica), Crystal O'Neal (Logan), Richard Clark, and Joseph Clark (Tracy); great-grandchildren, Elijah David, Aurora Valeros, Dante Valeros, Elizabeth "Ellie" McCarroll, Katelynn Roberson, Kayleigh Roberson, Cailyn Brou, Alan Roberson, Mason Roberson, Brayden Brou, Triston Roberson, Maddy Eppinent, Aliviya Valeros, Rory, Burke, Justice Creppel, Huey Creppel, Rainah Valeros, Gunner Carrol, Sydney Pope (Bryce), Dalton Churchwell, London O'Neal, Leni O'Neal, Mary Kate O'Neal, Gabe Clark, Lillie Coxwell, Violet Coxwell, Daisy Coxwell, Peyton Coxwell, Isabella Clark, Hunter Clark, Lyle Clark, Madison Cox, and **one great-grandbaby on the way**; great-great grandchildren, Bentley Roberson, Madison "Madi" Claire Pope, and **one great-great-grandbaby on the way**.

A funeral service will be held at 11:15 a.m. on Friday, September 16, 2022 at Bradford-O’Keefe Funeral Home, 1726 15^th Street, Gulfport, MS. Friends may visit from 10:00 a.m. until service time. A graveside service will follow at Biloxi National Cemetery Committal Shelter with military honors. Bradford-O’Keefe Funeral Home, 15^th Street, Gulfport is honored to serve the Pettit family.

"Do not ask the Lord to guide your footsteps if you're unwilling to move your feet" - Anonymous