Col. Charles E. "Charlie" Petty

Col. Charles E. “Charlie” Petty, age 73, of Columbia, Tennessee passed away on Saturday, October 4, 2014 at his residence.

Charles was born on December 26, 1940 and was the adopted son to the late Floyd E. Petty and the late Iva Odella Jarvis Petty in Dallas/Ft. Worth, Texas. He served in the United States Navy from 1957-1964 during the Vietnam War. He was retired from the restaurant management industry. Col. Petty was avidly involved in civic affairs being a member of the Honorable Order of Kentucky Colonels, Member of the Maury County Fair Board, Member of the Maury County Tea Party, Member of the Maury County Historical Society, The American Legion Post 19, a Life Member of the Sons of Confederate Veterans and a Past Commander of the Sons of Confederate Veterans. He was a member of Southside Baptist Church in Mt. Pleasant and supported Servant’s Heart Worship Center and Extreme Tours.

Col. Petty had some interesting facts related to his life. The first was that he was adopted within his own family, so he is his own first cousin. Second, he was the first employee of Subway Restaurant to retire after 25 years working with the same franchisee and had not become a partner or part owner. Third, his Uncle Charlie died leaving an inheritance for Charlie and his cousins. To settle the probate, they hired a private investigator who “found” Charles’ obituary in the Dallas newspaper. The private investigator didn’t cross reference. So, Charles E. Petty was declared dead by a judge in Chicago, IL with a death date of September 1, 1979. This is now Charles’ 2nd death.

Charles is survived by his loving wife: Dr. Trishia Petty, Th. D. of Columbia; children: Stanley J. (Ginger) King of Virginia, Rachel Lee (David) Ingram-Wilson of Virginia and Melodie (John) Amos of Columbia, Tennessee; grandchildren: Zack Hester, Sean Graham, Johnathan W. Amos, Jr. and Justin T. Amos. He was preceded in death by his daughter: Jari E. Graham.

A memorial service will be held at Riverview Baptist Church, 798 Santa Fe Pike, on Thursday, October 9, 2014 from 5:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. in the Fellowship Hall (covered dish requested). This will be a “Remembering Charlie Gathering”. In lieu of flowers, please make donations to Col. Charlie Fill a Bucket Foundation c/o Trish Petty, P. O. Box 206, Columbia, Tennessee 38402.

Williams Funeral Home is assisting the family with the arrangements and online condolences may be made at www.williamsfh.com .