Alton E. Petteway

Obituary

Alton E. Petteway

Alton Earl Petteway was born to the late General Lee (Budson) and Susan Green Petteway on June 2, 1932 in Jacksonville, NC. Earl was the youngest of eleven siblings. Four brothers Lincy, Lee, Obidiah, and Odell Petteway and six sisters Leache P. Cummings, Mattie P. Canady, Launer P. Kenion, Pernella P. Sharpless, Alberta P. McClendon and Sudie P. Hunter; all preceded him in death. He was also preceded in death by his late wife Annis Melton Petteway.

Earl attended early school at Edney Chapel and Georgetown High School. He later went on to study nursing and became the first Black male nurse in Onslow Memorial Hospital in Jacksonville, North Carolina. He married Annis Melton Petteway and from that union bore two children –Allen and Beverly Petteway. As a young man he moved to Waterbury Connecticut then to Brooklyn, NY. He worked as a nurse in Cumberland Hospital Brooklyn NY, and later moved to Amityville, NY where he became a NYS licensed masseuse and assistant funeral director at J.F. Goode Funeral Home where he worked until his health failed.

In the early 60’s Earl founded a church in his home under the leadership of the late Rev. I.T. Hayes. The church relocated from his home to J.F. Goode Funeral Home to New Hope Institutional Baptist Church where he served as a deacon for many years. He and Rev. Hayes established a new church called Mount Claire Baptist Church where he was a member until his passing. Earl wore many hats in his church. He served as deacon, janitor, treasurer, and secretary until death called him home. The church was small but full of love.

Alton Earl Petteway departed this life February 5, 2018. He leaves to cherish his memory a daughter –Beverly Petteway; a son –Allen Petteway; three grandsons; a best friend –Joseph Bogovich, William Morse (Billy) who is like a son to Earl; a good friend and “chauffer” Ben Pernell, a good friend Jonathan; church members, and lots of friends and loved ones all of Amityville, NY. He also leaves a step brother Peter Frank Canady of Charlotte, NC; a niece Shelia H. Blue whom he loved dearly; a cousin Monte Petteway whom he called his brother, and a host of nephews, nieces, family and friends all of Jacksonville, NC.

My Buddy; My Friend

Alton Earl Petteway will be interred in the Petteway Family Cemetery in Jacksonville, North Carolina.

"Give me my flowers while I can smell em!"-Petteway

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