Obituary of Nellie Pearl Pettis

Nellie P. Pettis was born on January 2, 1933, at City Hospital in Baltimore, Maryland. She is the third child of the late Albert and Mattie Willingham. Nellie married Lawrence Pettis in 1960, the mother of six: Carolyn Dumas, Karen Pettis, Ashely Pettis, Lawrence Pettis, Scott Pettis, and Johnathan Pettis. Nellie's primary working career was as a nurse at Franklin Square Hospital and Long Green Nursing Home. Nellie retired from Long Green Nursing Home in 2011 at the age of 78. She would often reminisce about her nursing career telling us funny stories about her patients and the staff. Mom was proud of herself for being there to support her children and grandchildren. Her greatest pleasure was to cook for her family, watch us overeat and fight over who would take home the left-over sweet potato pie and rice pudding. Carolyn's fondest memory of her mother was listening to her talk about her childhood, especially her dad Albert Willingham. After a three-week stay at the hospital, Nellie departed this life on Thursday , February 11, 2021, at Union Memorial Hospital, in Baltimore, Maryland. She leaves to mourn her loss: her husband Lawrence, three sons, Lawrence, Scott, and Johnathan; three daughters, Carolyn Dumas, Karen, and Ashley; one older sister Mami Dorsey, two younger siblings Jerome Willingham and Goldie Fost, seven grandchildren; Christine Alvarez, Christopher, Lawrence Jr, Ashley Pettis, Ashley Logan, Kayla, Alexi, Johnathan Jr.; and one great-grandson Braden Logan. A viewing will be held Monday, February 22, 2021, at Vaughn Greene Funeral Services, 4905 York Road, Baltimore, MD 21212, from 3:30 - 6:30 PM. The celebration of her life will be held 10:30 AM, Tuesday, February 23, 2021, in Vaughn Greene Funeral Services - East Chapel. The wake will begin at 10:00 AM.