Lillian Eskridge Pettus

Lillian E. Pettus, 79, of Oak Ridge, departed this life on Wednesday, Sept. 18, 2013, at the Methodist Medical Center.

She was born March 28, 1934 in Lafollette, Tenn., to the late Harry Eskridge and Nellie Gillard Eskridge.

Lillian was a member of True Light Missionary Baptist Church in Knoxville, and Elder Darris Waters Sr. was her pastor.

Lillian was a devoted wife of 59 years to Willie F. Pettus Sr. and reveled in her roles as a mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother. She had a loving spirit and an infectious smile that could light up a room. Our light is now dim, yet will shine again in the hearts of each person touched by her spirit.

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by brother, Bill Kentz; sister, Lydia Chappell; and grandson, Maurice E. Bedford.

In addition to her husband, she is survived by sister, Shirley Rodgers Anderson of Washington D.C.; sister-in-law, Alice McDowell Pettus of Oak Ridge; three daughters, Maria A. Goodman (Bennie), Pamela Bedford, and Stacy Cotton, all of Oak Ridge; three sons, Willie F. Pettus Jr. (Carol), Sandy E. Pettus (Doreen), and Kimberly C. Pettus (Ingrid), all of Virginia; grandchildren, Miquel Pettus (Rochelle), Azura Stacy, Sir David Pettus, Kejuan, Winifred Bedford, Steven Bedford, Hasha J. Pettus, Renata Cotton, Mosheda Pettus, P’Airra Pettus, Kayla Pettus, Andrew Hyde, and Alan Hyde; seven great-grandchildren; and a host of nieces and nephews.

The family extends a sincere thank you to the staff of the Methodist Medical Center.

The family received friends Wednesday, Sept. 25, from 11 a.m.–12 p.m. at Weatherford Mortuary. The funeral began at 12 p.m. with Rev. Van Kentz officiating, and the burial followed at Oak Ridge Memorial Park. Her sons and grandsons served as pallbearers. An online guest book can be signed at www.weatherfordmortuary.com.