Obituary of Ray Anderson Pettus

Ray A. Pettus (nee Ray Philson Anderson), 21045 Cardinal Pond Terrace, #215, Ashburn, VA, passed away at home on Sunday, December 2, 2018.

Born 3 June 1936 in Morganton, NC, she was the daughter of Samuel Paul Anderson and his wife the late Rosa Eloise Bond of Laurens, SC, and Clinton, SC. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her six siblings: Samuel Paul Anderson of Macon, GA; Charles Anderson of Jacksonville, FL; Mary Anderson Lewis of Centreville, VA; Ann Anderson Kidwai of Columbia, SC, William Thomas Anderson of Clinton, SC, and John Law Anderson of Dalton, GA.

Ray held a Bachelor’s Degree in Biology/Zoology from Winthrop College, Rock Hill, SC. She was employed as a laboratory technician at Mt. Sinai Hospital in NYC, University of Virginia Hospital in Charlottesville, VA, and Harvard University School of Biology, Cambridge, MA. She was a member of Old Cambridge Baptist Church in Cambridge, MA, and of Fairfax Circle Baptist Church in Fairfax, VA. She was a member of Harvard Dames and Virginia Baptist Historical Society.

Ray is survived by her husband, William Walker Pettus IV; her daughter, Susan P. Cottrell of Centreville, VA; her son William Walker Pettus V of Blacksburg, VA; and six grandchildren: William Thomas Bowman of Arlington, VA; Rebecca Anne Bowman of Norfolk, VA; Emily Elizabeth Cottrell of Fredericksburg, VA; Jonathan Mark Cottrell of Charlottesville, VA; William Walker Pettus VI of Blacksburg, VA; and Philip Lucius Pettus of Blacksburg, VA. She is also survived by nephews and nieces: Samuel Paul Anderson III of Warrenton, VA; Sharon A. White of Alexandria, VA; William Ray Anderson III of Odenton MD; Carol Suzanne Anderson of Atlanta, GA; Katherine A. Roll of Centreville, VA; Richard Wayne Lewis of Myrtle Beach, SC; Robert Jackson Lewis of Columbia, SC; Sabrina Ann Kidwai of Alexandria, VA; Asif Salah Kidwai of Spartanburg, SC; Arif Salah Kidwai of Ponte Vedra, FL; Karen A. Norton of Canton, GA; Ashley A. Rich of Dalton, GA; Sherry Anderson of Jacksonville, FL; and Kristie A. Bennett of Jacksonville, FL.

Ray is remembered for her warm smile, big heart, and open arms for family and friends. All who knew her loved and admired her. She served as a greeter at her church, where she also taught a ladies’ Sunday School class and directed the Women’s Missionary Union. She delighted in applying her quick mind to jigsaw puzzles, crossword puzzles, and cryptograms. She was a champion at Boggle. She loved to read, especially works of historical fiction. Ray’s talented hands brought beauty to all she touched, from sewing handmade quilts and flawlessly tailored clothing, to baking cookies, cakes, and pies. She also appreciated the beauty of handmade crafts, especially pieces made by her father-in-law. Her arms were always ready for a hug, and her lap was always available to cuddle a child.

A memorial service will be held on 16 December at 2:30 PM at Fairfax Circle Baptist Church, 3110 Chichester Lane, Fairfax, VA 22031. A reception at the church will follow.

Memorial donations may be made to University of Virginia, Dept. of Neurology, Box 800394, Charlottesville, VA 22908-0394. Donations are tax-deductible. Please write “In memory of Ray A. Pettus” on the memo line of your check.

Arrangements entrusted to Adams-Green Funeral Home in Herndon, VA.