George was born on August 20, 1938, in Alexandria, LA. He was the son of the late George W. Pettigrew, Sr. and Ruth Critcher Pettigrew of Raleigh, NC. He received a Master of Divinity from Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary and a Master of Public Affairs from North Carolina State University.
After 32 years of service, he retired from the North Carolina Division of Adult Probation/Parole in 1998 as an Assistant Division Administrator for the Fourth Division. In honor of his service, he received The Order of the Long Leaf Pine.
George spent 30 years as a bi-vocational pastor and ministered to numerous churches in Wake, Gaston, and Lincoln County.
As a member of Covenant Baptist Church in Gastonia, NC, he served in various positions including deacon and Sunday school teacher. He loved to serve the church through disaster relief and home missions.
George served his community in other roles including Chaplain of the Gaston County Rescue Squad, Assistant Scout Master, Chaplain of Boy Scout Troop 523. He served on the boards of Mecklenburg Communities Corrections, Inc, Gaston County Alternative Community Penalties and Dallas Prison Chapel Building Committee. He also served as the Chairman of the Central Piedmont Community College Correctional Science Advisory Board.
In 1960, he met the love of his life, Linda Jane Davis at Campbell College. George and Linda were married for 61 years and have three children.
George was a very compassionate, loving family man who enjoyed golfing, camping, and spending time at the beach and mountains with family.
He was preceded in death by his parents, George Pettigrew Sr. and Ruth Pettigrew and his brother, William Pettigrew. He is survived by his wife, Linda Davis Pettigrew. Children, Jill Farmer and husband Brent Farmer, Renee Phillips and husband Tony Phillips, George E. Pettigrew and wife Janet Pettigrew. Grandchildren, Kenzie Clark (Farmer) and husband Alex Clark, Sarah Pettigrew, Calan Phillips, Hannah Waldrup (Phillips) and husband Kile Waldrup, Celia Farmer and Olivia Pettigrew. Great grandchild, Lucy Waldrup. Sister, Nancy Robinson and husband Barry Robinson, as well as other cousins, nieces, and nephews.
Family will receive friends on Saturday, September 9th at Covenant Baptist Church, Gastonia, NC, from 2PM to 4PM. A celebration of life will be held following the receiving of friends at Covenant Baptist Church officiated by the Reverend Olin Byrum.
The family request that no flowers are sent to the service or to the family as allergies prevent the family from enjoying them. The family suggests in lieu of flowers that donations are made in George’s name to Covenant Baptist Church, General Fund, 3131 Erskine Drive, Gastonia, NC 28054.
Fond memories of George and condolence for the family may be left at www.carothersfuneralhomegastonia.com.
The staff of Carothers Funeral Home at Gaston Memorial Park is honored to serve the Pettigrew Family.
