Joe Max Petty
December 1, 2024
Mr. Joe Max Petty, age 73, departed this life on November 24, 2024, at his residence in McDavid, Florida. A native of Canoe, Alabama, he spent several years residing in Atmore, Alabama before settling in McDavid, Florida. Throughout his life, Mr. Petty was a dedicated member of the Atmore Branch of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, and Ray’s Chapel Baptist Church, where he actively contributed to his community. His legacy will be remembered fondly by family, friends and all who had the privilege of knowing him.
He was a dedicated individual whose life was marked by service and commitment to his community. Graduating from Escambia County High School in 1969, he continued to further his education at Jefferson Davis Community College and S.D. Bishop State College, laying a solid foundation for a career devoted to helping others during their most difficult times. His involvement with Carney Masonic Lodge #549 and the Abba Shrine Temple of Mobile, Alabama, reflected a deep-seated belief in brotherhood and charity, with values that guided him throughout his life. Appointed as Coroner of Escambia County by Governor Guy Hunt in 1988, he undertook the significant responsibility of serving his community with compassion and integrity. Over the years, his professional journey took him through various esteemed funeral homes, including Fisher-Pou and Waters and Hibbert in Pensacola, Florida, and Flomaton Funeral Home in Flomaton, Alabama. In 1991, he co-founded Atmore Memorial Chapel Funeral Home, where he would build lasting connections with families, providing them solace during their times of grief. His unwavering commitment to compassionate service was evident during his tenure as General Manager at Jay Funeral Home, as well as through his role as co-founder of Eastside Chapel in 2000. In 2007, he became the sole owner of Petty Eastside Chapel, further solidifying his dedication to serving the community with care and respect. Through every role he embraced, he left an indelible mark on those he served, embodying the essence of empathy and care that is so crucial within the realm of funeral service. His legacy will live on through his son, William Oliver Petty, the proud owner of Petty-Eastside Chapel Funeral Homes, LLC.
Mr. Petty is preceded in death by his parents, Dr. William Martin (Nellie Chandler) Petty; brother, Elgia Uriah Petty; sisters; Marion Stedman and Donna Belinda Filmore.
He is survived by his only son, William Oliver (Nychole) Petty of Atmore, Alabama; two daughters Wendy (Matt) Shelton of Atmore, Alabama and April (Manny) Karvelas of La Grange, Georgia; brother, James Basil (Gina) Petty of Warrior, Alabama; grandchildren, Kannon Karvelas, Kaden Lassiter, Karson Karvelas, and Maleah Wiggins; mother of his children, Joyce Petty of Atmore, Alabama; numerous nieces and nephews and other family members.
Funeral services will be held, Tuesday, December 3, 2024, at 11:00 a.m. at Atmore First Assembly of God Church with Reverend Dexter Truesdell, Reverend Nathan Brown, Reverend Don Davis, Sister Helen Stewart and President Harlan Spencer officiating.
Entombment will follow at Ray’s Chapel Baptist Church Cemetery in McDavid, Florida.
Visitation will be held on December 1, 2024, from 6:00 p.m. until 9:00 p.m. The viewing will continue on December 2, 2024, from 9:00 a.m. until 8:00 p.m. at Petty-Eastside Chapel Funeral Homes, LLC. We invite friends and family to come together during this time to pay their respects. Your presence and support are greatly appreciated as we honor his memory.
Pallbearers will be Matt Shelton, Manny Karvelas, Kannon Karvelas, Charles Thompson, John O’Barr, Clay Hadley, Will Carter and Jason Hadley.
Honorary pallbearers will be Jimmy Malone, Joffrey Tullis, Leo Amerson, Mike Williams, Reverend Bill Stuckey, Keith Stedman, Kaden Lassiter, Karson Karvelas, Jim Staff and John Mitchell.
In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to:
St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 501 St Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105
Pilots for Christ, P.O. Box 707, Monroeville, AL 36461
I, Oliver would like to take this opportunity to extend my heartfelt gratitude to his caregiver, Roxanne Powell. Additionally, I wish to express my sincere appreciation to the dedicated staff at Petty Funeral Home for all that they have done for my dad over the years.
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