Eugene

Nettleton - Eugene (Gene) Pettigrew, 87, died Tuesday, November 2, 2010, at Baptist Memorial Hospital of Oxford after an extended illness. He was born August 28, 1923 in Lee County to J.W. (Willis) and Larencia Cole Pettigrew. A veteran of World War II, he served in the Army Air Corp in Burma, India and China and also served in the U.S. Air Force Reserve for 17 years, retiring at the rank of Master Sargent. After his military discharge he worked as an auto parts salesman and also owned a Stihl Chain Saw repair business. He enjoyed collecting trivia and singing. He was a 60 year member of Nettleton Masonic Lodge #461 and a longtime member of the Lions Club. He was a member of First United Methodist Church of Nettleton where he taught Sunday School.

Services will be 2 p.m. Friday at The Jefferson Street Chapel of W. E. Pegues with Rev. Aubrey Boren and Rev. Rick Brooks officiating. Burial will be in the Masonic Gardens of Lee Memorial Park.

Survivors include his wife of ten years, Pattie Foster Pettigrew of Nettleton; three step-daughters, Patricia Pace (Dr. Lanny Pace) of Brandon, Cathy Buatt (Hunter) of Collierville, Tenn., and Carol Kent (Paul) of Brandon; two step-sons, Richard Ray of Baldwyn and Ronald Ray (Judy) of Blue Springs; his brother Theron Pettigrew (Hattie) of Plantersville; nine step-grandchildren, Rachel Ray Idol (Brian) of Charleston, S.C., Rebecca Ray Sudduth (Donald) of Saltillo, Ashley Ray of Blue Springs, Melanie Ray Tutor (Channing) of Mooreville, Laura Leigh Buatt and Paige Buatt, both of Collierville, Austin Kent of Brandon, Tyler and Katie Pace both of Brandon; five step-great-grandchildren; a sister-in-law, Hilda Bell of Nettleton; two nephews, Doug Bell (Trish) of North Carolina and Sam Bell (Lane) of Tupelo.

He was preceded in death by his parents; his first wife, Hazel Shumpert Pettigrew, who died in 1995; and a brother, Erin Pettigrew.

Pallbearers will be Don Rogers, Stevie Humble, Gerald Harmon, Tommy Ray Dabbs Jr.

The Disciples Class will serve as honorary pallbearers.

Visitation will be noon to service time Friday at the funeral home.

Memorials may be made to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, 1 St. Jude Way, Memphis, TN 38105; or the Wounded Warrior Project, 7020 AC Skinner Parkway, Suite 100, Jacksonville, FL 32256.