With family by his side, James W. Pettry of Pettry Bottom was welcomed into the arms of his Lord and Savior on March 29th, 2022. James was born on December 11th, 1936, to the late Otis and Dillie Pettry. He grew up in Pettry Bottom, where he met and married the love of his life in 1959, Patty (Price). Throughout their 62 years together, they were the perfect example of “for better or worse, richer or poor, sickness and health”. Together they have eight children, Janie (Charlie) Howard of Beckley; Eric (Carla) Pettry of Horse Creek; Keith (Mary) Pettry of NC; Kimberly (Tony) Trent of NC; Jill (Cliff) Lester of Glen Daniel; Darren (Joy) Pettry of NC; Sheila (John) England of NC; and Ericka (Michael) Banks of Pettry Bottom. He also leaves behind 18 Grandchildren and 20 Great Grandchildren, each of whom he adored. He is also survived by a brother Arlie (Alice) Pettry and a sister Edna(Homer) Browning. James was well known as one of the hardest working men around. At a very young age, he started working in the timber industry for his father. Later, he became an underground coal miner and retired from the mines. He had an astounding work ethic on the job and at home. James was so proud of his large family. He made sure each of his children felt loved and never went without. His daughters often playfully debate who his favorite was, because each consider themselves a Daddy’s Girl in her own right. They all knew that the grandbabies were really his favorite though. James loved to garden and had a green thumb like no other. He took pride in his yard and anxiously waited for Spring when his beautiful cherry blossom trees would bloom. James was so much more than can be written in this small piece. He left his imprint on Earth that will never be forgotten and his legacy will live on through his big family. We mourn our loss but rejoice in knowing he is being rewarded for all his hard work in Heaven. He is now reunited with those who proceeded him in death, including his parents; his Father and Mother-in-law, Herman, and Alice Price; a beloved granddaughter, Tiffany Miller; and several siblings. You have left our lives, but you will never leave our hearts. Rest in peace, you have earned it. It has been a blessing and a true privilege to have called you Husband, Daddy and Pawpaw. Funeral services will be held on Monday, April 4, 2022 at 2:00 p.m. in the Armstrong Funeral Home Whitesville, WV with Rev. Benny Turner officiating. Interment will follow in the Pineview Cemetery Orgas, WV. The visitation will be 2 hours before the service at the funeral home.
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