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The Brightest Among Angels. February 27, 1921 - September 25, 2008
An Angel Passes
Mrs.Virginia Pettit ─ accomplished musician, tireless volunteer, and devoted wife of Col. Morris W. Pettit ─ passed away peacefully in her sleep on Thursday night, September 25, 2008. She was 87.
Virginia was born in Arkansas City, Kansas, and moved to California when she was eight years old. Having studied piano from the age of five, she was considered a “prodigy” and had her concert debut when she was ten. She gave frequent concerts and also had her own Los Angeles radio show for several years. At age thirteen, she began to study the harp. She graduated from high school at fifteen, and went on to attend the New England Conservatory of Music in Boston.
After college, she returned to California to continue her concert career, eventually becoming the Musical Director for the USO in San Diego. It was there that she met Morris Pettit, her husband of 66 years. They were married in August, 1942. As the wife of an army officer, Virginia ran households and raised two children in places all over the globe: across the US (from Virginia to California), Korea, Japan, France, and Germany. The family arrived in Huntsville in 1965 and settled there when Morris retired from military service in 1972.
Throughout her busy life, Virginia used her musical gifts to uplift the hearts and minds of those around her by giving piano and harp concerts, providing music lessons to many students, forming and directing several choirs and musical groups, and playing piano weekly in her church and at health care centers until very recently.
In addition to sharing her musical talents, Virginia volunteered thousands of hours working for the Red Cross, giving pro bono piano lessons, writing and directing original floor shows for various groups, serving as president for the Officers Wives Club, teaching Sunday school and Vacation Bible school. In 1972, she and Morris joined Gideons International and became lifetime members, spending 18 years on the Alabama Gideon State Cabinet. She served in many positions, including three years as the State Auxiliary President.
Her extended family and her many, many friends will dearly miss her beautiful smile and vivacious personality.
Virginia was born in Arkansas City, Kansas, and moved to California when she was eight years old. Having studied piano from the age of five, she was considered a “prodigy” and had her concert debut when she was ten. She gave frequent concerts and also had her own Los Angeles radio show for several years. At age thirteen, she began to study the harp. She graduated from high school at fifteen, and went on to attend the New England Conservatory of Music in Boston.
After college, she returned to California to continue her concert career, eventually becoming the Musical Director for the USO in San Diego. It was there that she met Morris Pettit, her husband of 66 years. They were married in August, 1942. As the wife of an army officer, Virginia ran households and raised two children in places all over the globe: across the US (from Virginia to California), Korea, Japan, France, and Germany. The family arrived in Huntsville in 1965 and settled there when Morris retired from military service in 1972.
Throughout her busy life, Virginia used her musical gifts to uplift the hearts and minds of those around her by giving piano and harp concerts, providing music lessons to many students, forming and directing several choirs and musical groups, and playing piano weekly in her church and at health care centers until very recently.
In addition to sharing her musical talents, Virginia volunteered thousands of hours working for the Red Cross, giving pro bono piano lessons, writing and directing original floor shows for various groups, serving as president for the Officers Wives Club, teaching Sunday school and Vacation Bible school. In 1972, she and Morris joined Gideons International and became lifetime members, spending 18 years on the Alabama Gideon State Cabinet. She served in many positions, including three years as the State Auxiliary President.
Her extended family and her many, many friends will dearly miss her beautiful smile and vivacious personality.
A Loving Mother
1921
1921 ~ Over thirty thousand times
have you seen the rising sun
And soon thereafter,
from the moon to the rafters
– the music played
Your soulful sound warmed hearts
from the Pacific to the Everglades
Across the ballroom floor
you spotted the one.
1942 ~ A vow taken, a soulmate
found in the man from Texas
Many moves together for the love
of country and each other
And to your beautiful children,
you’re such a loving mother
For you always give your time
and wisdom and plenty of O’s & X’s.
Graceful, iridescent and striking,
like the glow from a lunar eclipse
You’ve taken many cloudy days
and turned them into blue skies
Your home has been where
our hearts are at,
you are so compassionate.
Whenever you play
the sounds of Heaven
rain down from your fingertips
The world would be a better place
if people looked though your eyes
You are more than
just a Grandmother
~ you are Great!
Love, Jonathan
have you seen the rising sun
And soon thereafter,
from the moon to the rafters
– the music played
Your soulful sound warmed hearts
from the Pacific to the Everglades
Across the ballroom floor
you spotted the one.
1942 ~ A vow taken, a soulmate
found in the man from Texas
Many moves together for the love
of country and each other
And to your beautiful children,
you’re such a loving mother
For you always give your time
and wisdom and plenty of O’s & X’s.
Graceful, iridescent and striking,
like the glow from a lunar eclipse
You’ve taken many cloudy days
and turned them into blue skies
Your home has been where
our hearts are at,
you are so compassionate.
Whenever you play
the sounds of Heaven
rain down from your fingertips
The world would be a better place
if people looked though your eyes
You are more than
just a Grandmother
~ you are Great!
Love, Jonathan
A Mother To Others
"My parents we taken from me when I was very young. I never realized when I married Pepper that I was getting a whole new set of parents. Little did I know at the onset of having children how much I would miss having a mother, but Gigi stepped in and I never wanted for support, a shoulder, or just a patient listener. She must have bitten her tongue a million times. She has been a shining example to me of what a mother-in-law should be. I only hope that I can follow her example with my children when the time comes. What she did express was her unconditional love for all of us, and for that I am forever grateful. Thanks mom."
Love, Debbie
Love, Debbie
A Beautiful Baby
Celestial Music
Amazing Grace
Amazing grace!
how sweet the sound
That saved a wretch like me.
I once was lost, but now am found,
Was blind, but now I see.
'twas grace that taught
my heart to fear,
And grace my fears relieved.
How precious did that grace appear
The hour I first believed.
Through many dangers, toils
and snares I have already come;
'tis grace hath brought
me safe thus far
And grace will lead me home.
When we've been there ten thousand years
Bright shining as the sun,
We've no less days
to sing god's praise
Than when we've first begun.
how sweet the sound
That saved a wretch like me.
I once was lost, but now am found,
Was blind, but now I see.
'twas grace that taught
my heart to fear,
And grace my fears relieved.
How precious did that grace appear
The hour I first believed.
Through many dangers, toils
and snares I have already come;
'tis grace hath brought
me safe thus far
And grace will lead me home.
When we've been there ten thousand years
Bright shining as the sun,
We've no less days
to sing god's praise
Than when we've first begun.
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