Charley B. Pettes

When my work on earth is done, at the setting of the sun, I am going to my home over there, I shall see his face so fair and be free from every care, I'll be happy in my home over there. This verse of prose was one of the last messages he left with us, who still must sojourn here in this weary land. The Bible is true in it's saying, "that the steps of a good man are ordered by God." Deacon Charley B. Pettes was born in Howland, Texas on March 12, 1910 to Robert A. and Ella Combs Pettes. He was one of three children born into that union in that city, and later was the second of eleven children. The family moved to the Mesilla Valley in 1923 and Brother Pettes has remained loyal to this region. He received his early education at the Booker T.Washington School here in Las Cruces. At a very early age Brother Pettes gave his life to Christ at the Second Baptist Church of Las Cruces and has remained a faithful member since. Deacon Pettes met a young woman, Leola Nelson from Texas, and she was his love for over seventy years and to this union eleven children were added and all were reared to adulthood. Brother Pettes worked at several business establishments throughout the county. He retired from White Sands Missile Range in 1972. C.B. as he is affectionately called, has been a member of various community organizations, namely the Knights of Pythians and the NAACP. Deacon Pettes love was the church and his family. He became a deacon at the Bethel Second Baptist Church in 1942 under the leadership of Rev. I.S. Swisher. He has remained loyal to that position since his ordination and a member of Bethel Second Baptist Church for eighty-two years. He was a member of the Men's Chorus and had a beautiful tenor voice. He was an active member of the Adult II Sunday School Class. Brother Pettes loved the music of the church and was an ardent prayer warrior. We will remember his words of wisdom and his soft-spoken voice. Brother Pettes was preceded in death by his parents, and the following siblings. Jimmie Pettes, Bertha Dudley, Neva Fielder, Niceulea Stewart, Idell Jamison, Lillie Bell Coleman, Clara Fielder, and son Michael Pettes. Deacon Pettes leaves to cherish his memory, his beloved wife Leola of the home of address, six sons, C.B. Pettes Jr. (Ruth) of Aurora, CO; Harley Pettes (Rosa) of Las Cruces, NM; Eugene Pettes of Las Cruces, NM; Alfred Pettes, of Overland Park, KS; Andrew Pettes (Taneisha) of Dallas, TX; James Pettes of Grants, NM. Four daughters, Ora Jackson of Denver, CO; Josie Breazell of Las Cruces, NM; Debbie Pettes of Las Cruces, NM and Diane Pettes of Denver, CO. 41 grandchildren, 20 great grandchildren, and one great great grandchildren. One brother Grover Pettes (Laura) of Las Cruces, NM, two sisters, Dora Ruth Williams of Temple Hills, MD Janetta Moultrie of Fresno, CA. nephews, nieces and a host of other relatives ands friends who mourn his passing. ₦So I'm going where he wicked shall cease from troubling, and the weary shall be at rest. And all of the saints of the ages, are gonna sit at His feet and be blessed. A visitation will be held from 5 to7 PM at Getz Funeral Home on Thursday, October 27, 2005. The funeral service will be held at 1 PM on Friday, October 28, 2005 at Bethel Second Baptist Church, 405 E. Hadley Ave. Officiating will be Rev. Gregory Arthur, El Paso, Texas. Burial will follow at Hillcrest Memorial Gardens Cemetery. PDF Printable Version