Claudia Pruett Petty

Claudia Pruett Petty, 87, of Jonesboro, died Wednesday afternoon August, 3, 2011, at her home surrounded by family and friends.

She was born in Morrilton, and her father moved the family to Searcy so she and her sister could have a Christian education at Harding College. While enrolled at Harding, she met her husband Bill Petty. She graduated from Harding in 1947.

She was a lifetime member of Associated Women for Harding with the Claudia Petty Patron Scholarship named in her honor. She was a Christian and taught Bible classes including Cradle Roll, Ladies Bible classes, and Ladies Leadership classes. As a member of Southwest Church of Christ, she was involved in foreign missions, hospital visitations, jail ministries, food pantry, the Treasures group, and the New Horizons Bible class. She was also a Mary Kay consultant and a member of Silver Sneakers. She was active in all these until six weeks ago when she was hospitalized with colon cancer. She lived a joyful 87 years and very much enjoyed the last 22 in Jonesboro.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Bill, by a daughter Annette, and by a brother Jack Pruett.

Survivors include three children and a son-in-law: Carl Petty of Atlanta; Tish Allison of Raleigh, North Carolina; and Diane and Ken Burton of Mountain Home.

One sister, Georgia Hobby of Little Rock.

Seven grandchildren and one great-grandson.

Funeral services will be held Monday at 10:00 a.m. at Southwest Church of Christ with Jimmy Adcox officiating. A graveside service will be held Monday afternoon at 2:30 in Oaklawn Cemetery in Searcy with Ken Burton officiating. Emerson Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.

Active pallbearers include Justin Burton, Sam Allison, Drew Petty, Nick Allison, Walker Petty, Ryan Hanson, and Nick Banks.

Honorary pallbearers include the elders of Southwest Church of Christ and Jared Kemp.

Visitation will be held Sunday afternoon from 4:00-7:00 at Southwest Church of Christ.

For lasting memorials, the family asks that consideration be given to the Paragould Children’s Home, Southwest Church of Christ Campus Ministry, Claudia Petty Patron Scholarship at Harding University, or St. Bernard’s Hospice.