Hester Wayne Petty

Hester W. Petty, 84 of Paragould was called home to be with her Lord on Thursday at Arkansas Methodist Medical Center in Paragould. She was born December 27, 1925, and was raised in Cardwell, Missouri. She was a resident of Sunshine Manor Retirement Home. She was preceded in death by her husband, Elbert Petty; parents, George and Mary Sissom; daughter, Linda Fritz; granddaughter, Melinda Fritz; brother, Lawrence Sissom; sisters, Florine Jenkins, Lola Mae Darden and Beulah Lester. Survivors include daughter and son-in-law, Mariola and Ray Yates of Paragould; son and daughter-in-law, Gregory and Samantha Petty of Knoxville, Tennessee; brother, Randall Sissom of Cardwell; sisters, Francis Fox of Tucson, AZ and Rose Horner of Cardwell; grandsons, John Fritz of Senath, Missouri, Jim Fritz of Evansville, Indiana, and Christopher Petty of Knoxville, Tennessee; granddaughters, Michelle Glueck, Sarah Jo Kelley and Anna Glueck, all of Cape Girardeau, Missouri; great grandchildren, Katelyn, Mallory and Tucker Fritz and Hannah and Jack Fritz; several nephews, nieces and a host of friends. She was a graduate of Arkansas State University with a major in art. She was a business woman, homemaker, an educator, and was an employee of Arbyrd Post Office. She was a long time member of Arbyrd Baptist Church where she taught Sunday school classes and Vacation Bible School. She joined the First Baptist Church in Paragould in 1997, after moving to be closer to her daughter. She was a member of the Order of the Eastern Star, a former scout leader, and several art clubs. Hester enjoyed reading, drawing, painting, and socializing with people. She was a wonderful mother, grandmother, great grandmother, and will be greatly missed by many friends and family. Visitation will be from 6-8 Sunday evening, May 2, at Heath Funeral Home. Funeral services will be 10:00 A.M. Monday at Arbyrd First Baptist Church with Alan Cureton officiating. Burial will follow in Lulu Cemetery. Pallbearers will be John Fritz, Jim Fritz, Christopher Petty, Eric Kelley, Hite Horner and Ray Yates. Honorary pallbearers will include, Dr. Omer Petty, Randall Sissom, Wendell Fritz and Roger Glueck. The family requests that memorials be made to Special Olympics Arkansas.