Sallie G. Petteway, 87, of Waterbury, Ct., passed away peacefully in the comfort of her home on October 15, 2022. She was born in Jacksonville, North Carolina on August 16, 1935, to the late George and Mary (Foy) Gray, and graduated from Georgetown High School in Jacksonville, North Carolina.
Sallie married Leny “Lark” Petteway, on July 8, 1956, in Conway, South Carolina. Their life-long friends, Elmond and Florence “Mickey” Gibbs, were their witnesses. Sallie and Lark celebrated Sixty-six years of marriage this past July.
Sallie and Lark made their home and raised their family in Waterbury, Ct., in 1957.
Sallie joined Christ Christian Methodist Episcopal Church, Waterbury on November 1, 1964, and she and Lark are the church’s longest serving members. Sallie served her church faithfully and with dedication as a Sunday School teacher, Sunday School Superintendent, a member of the Stewardess Board, President of the Usher Board, a member of the Board of Christian Education and she often led Children’s Moments during service.
Sunday School was one of her favorite pastimes for which she prepared thoroughly. You’d see her reading her lesson and Bible multiple times per week and loved to demonstrate her knowledge and wit in her class. She had a way of making everyone laugh and enjoy the lesson with her comparisons to modern day events. When Sunday School discussions were really robust, Sallie would often come home talking about how much she enjoyed it and you’d even hear her on the phone with her Sunday School members rehashing the lesson. Given her love for Sunday School, it was only natural for Sallie to transition seamlessly into the position of Superintendent.
She loved her church and the sense of community she felt with all the members. She was somewhat of a comedian, always making jokes and when the laugh was exceptionally funny, she’d swing her hand and tap the person next to her. Sallie loved all the boards with which she participated and stepped up to do whatever was necessary on each, often going above and beyond her responsibilities. If an usher was absent she happily covered for them. When a teacher was absent from Sunday School she’d combine classes and teach a joint group. Never did she complain. She was kind and generous, and would not hesitate to give someone a ride to or from church, make food for a bereaved family or an event. She had only one caveat though, and that was for her bowls, pots and pans to be returned.
Sallie worked at the Uniroyal Rubber Shop, and then, for over 25 years at Southbury Training School, where she retired as a MRW Supervisor in 1997.
Her days at work seemed to be very similar to church in that she enjoyed herself thoroughly. If we ran into one of her coworkers while shopping, they’d always stop and talk and would often say how much they enjoyed working with Sallie, or how helpful she was in training them. One day at work, her coworkers told her they were taking the clients on a nature walk. As she’d often do, Sallie jokingly told them to bring something back for her. When Sallie came home from work that day, she had two ducklings. Although a little confused as to why these ducks were at our home, Lark got them some feed, a pool and they were now a part of the “security team”, often quacking when our dogsbarked or when they heard someone enter the gate.
Sallie’s love and devotion began at home with her family and after being a mom, her most beloved role was as a grandma. Since she had Mondays off from work, she’d offer to care for any of her grandchildren for the day. She definitely had the grandmothers touch and remained very organized. Caring for her grandchildren didn’t impede on any of her household responsibilities as a hot meal was still prepared for the family and sometimes even a dessert.
Months after Sallie’s retirement from Southbury Training School, she learned that she was having her 6th grandchild. When asked if she could provide full time childcare, Sallie was a little hesitant as she’d just retired. However, her love for her family and the desire to help out won her over and she happily agreed. That’s when the “Petteway Daycare” officially began. Malik was the first full day child and just a year later, Taya joined them, but it was open to all of the grandchildren. In fact, the house was somewhat of a Grand Central location as the grandchildren would stop by after school, school breaks, holidays or vacations. There was always plenty of snacks, games and dinner for everyone.
Caring for her grandchildren became her new job that she often joked about it with friends. She’d say she worked harder than she did at Southbury. This included school drop offs, pick-ups, and attending special family days at the kids’ schools. The “regular” day care grandchildren always had a daily field trip to Shoprite so Sallie could prepare dinner and the kids would help her bake a dessert. She loved baking banana pudding, carrot cake (without the nuts for the kids with allergies), Swedish Apple Pie, sweet potato pies for holidays and cheesecake. If the cheesecake fell or didn’t look right, she’d jokingly blame it on one of the kids. Sallie took her childcare responsibilities seriously and would never turn a grandchild away. When there was a funeral for her and Lark to attend, Sallie would make sure the kids were dressed appropriately so they could also pay their respects.
Sallie’s devotion didn’t end there. Her son, Leny Jr. was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis in 1991. This was heartbreaking for the family especially once his health began to dramatically decline. She visited him daily, bringing food and was the emergency contact. If an emergency call was made, she’d say “come on Lark” and they’d go to the Jr’s house to check things out and care for the children if needed.
Sallie’s life was her family and her church, but her hobbies included cooking, doing word search puzzles, Sudoku, and reading tabloid magazines. She also enjoyed shopping and going to the farm for vegetables with Lark. Her favorite television shows were General Hospital, Jeopardy, Wheel of Fortune, Andy Griffith, Bonanza and any old western movie.
When Sallie’s health began to decline her children and husband took over cooking and other household responsibilities. She always ended the night with “Thank You for everything!” and would often say she had the best children. Even when her memory failed her, she would say how proud she was of her family and how we helped each other out and stuck together. What she didn’t realize is that her children did what she and Lark modeled on a daily basis.
In addition to her husband Lark, Sallie is survived by her son, Mark (Kim) Petteway; Daughters, Lovie (Dennis) Roscoe; and Gail (Michael) Hardy, all of Waterbury; Roslyn (Michael) Campbell of Hamden, Ct.; and Crystal (Petteway) Russaw of Bristol, Ct. Eleven grandchildren: Drew Roscoe, Duron Roscoe, Jeniaya Petteway, Shawn Hardy, Jordan Petteway, Malik Petteway, Taya Campbell, Sgt. Isaiah Petteway, Bryan Hardy, Maiya Campbell and Mekhi Petteway.Four great-grandchildren: Daylen Roscoe, Demir Roscoe, Nola Stevenson and Davion Roscoe. One brother-in-law, Monte Petteway, Jacksonville, NC and One sister-in-law, Erdella P. Moore, West Hyattsville, Md., a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, and close friends. In addition to her parents, Sallie was pre-deceased by two brothers: her twin brother who died as an infant and Edward Gray; four sisters: Georgia(Jackie), Eula Mae(Sissy), Josephine, and Shirley; and her oldest son, Leny Jr.
We would like to express our gratitude to Mrs. Lenora Mason, VNA and Hartford Healthcare at-home aides for providing personal care; and hairstylist Joyce Gallon, who was like another daughter to Sallie.
Our most sincere appreciation to Sallie’s oldest daughter, Lovie P. Roscoe for her daily work and steadfast commitment to managing all of Sallie’s medical care and personal needs.
Calling hours will be held on Tuesday, October 25, 2022, from 10:00 a.m. until 12:00 p.m. at Christ CME Church, 32 Maple Street, Waterbury, Ct., with service immediately following calling hours at 12:00 p.m.The funeral may be viewed online via Christ CME Church Zoom Meeting ID: 340 195 851, phone number: 646-558-8656.James R. Sanders, Funeral Director and Colonial Funerals have been entrusted with Sallie’s arrangements. Burial will take place in the New Pine Grove Cemetery in Waterbury. Repast will be private for family. Condolences may be expressed at Colonialfunerals.com.
