Jeanel Pettey

Jeanel Pettey went home to be with the Lord Friday, November 24, 2023.  Jeanie Nelson (Jeanel) Hewes Pettey was born November 18,1935 in Gulfport, MS to Lillie Westbrook Hewes and Thomas Searle Hewes, Sr. She was cheerleader at Gulfport High School. Jeanel received her BS degree in Elementary Education from USM. While at USM she was a member of a Chi Omega sorority and a charter member of the famous Dixie Darlings. Jeanel received her M. Ed. from Wiliam Carey and taught at Westminster Academy and in the Gulfport City School System. 

Jeanel was one of the organizers of Feed My Sheep and served as secretary of the board for 22 years.  While reading from John 21: 17 -19, she came up with the name for Feed My Sheep.  In addition to her service on the board, Jeanel worked regularly as a driver to provide meals to the homebound.  She also served on the board of Youth for Christ.  Jeanel and Bill attended South Mississippi Methodist Cursillo #1 and served on staff a combined total of 16 times. She was a Sunday teacher and ordained elder at Westminster Presbyterian Church.

Jeanel was a certified aerobics instructor and taught aerobics at Trinity Methodist Church for over 20 years. She played tennis most of her adult life and formed many lifelong friendships through her love of the game.

Jeanel was preceded in death by her parents; and siblings, Leila Frances Favre, Annie Searle Hewes, and Thomas Searle Hewes, Jr.  She is survived by her husband of 67 years, William Hall “Bill” Pettey, Sr; her children, William Hall “Bill” Pettey, Jr., Jane Hewes Pettey (Brett Pittman), and Elizabeth Pettey Hubby (Tim); grandchildren, Derek, Jeremy, and Georgia Sacker, William and Thomas Pette, Vivian and Grace Hubby; and one great-grandson, Matthias Lawrence Pettey.

A celebration of life service will be held at 3pm on Tuesday, November 28 at Westminster Presbyterian Church in Gulfport with visitation at 2pm. In lieu of flowers, the family would prefer donations to either Feed My Sheep, Gulfport, MS or Westminster Presbyterian Church.

Bradford-O’Keefe Funeral Home 15^th Street is honored to serve the family of Jeanel Pettey.