Georgia L. Petty

Georgia L. Petty, age 86, of Belvidere, Illinois, formerly of Mt. Carroll, Illinois, died Monday, July 18, 2011, at OSF St. Anthony Medical Center in Rockford. Funeral services will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Friday, July 22, 2011, at the Frank – Law – Jones Funeral Home, Mt. Carroll. Burial will follow in the Oak Hill Cemetery, Mt. Carroll. Visitation will be held from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. on Thursday, July 21, 2011, at the Frank – Law – Jones Funeral Home, Mt. Carroll.
Georgia was born July 14, 1925, in Tucson, Arizona, the daughter of Dallas Gorman Warne and Eula Princess (Seright) Warne. Georgia’s father was a career army officer, retired as a Colonel, and the family lived in numerous communities as she was growing up. When her father was assigned as the Quartermaster at the Savanna Army Depot, she attended Mt. Carroll High School during her junior year in 1941-42. She and Donald Petty met and fell in love that year. Georgia and Don were married on September 25, 1943, in Eugene, Oregon, just before he left to serve in the European theater of World War II. After he returned from the war, they lived in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, as he earned his Bachelor’s degree at Coe College. They then moved to Shannon, Illinois, where Georgia raised their two children, Greg and Susan, and Don was first a teacher and then named Superintendent of Schools at Shannon.
After Don’s sudden and tragic death on April 9, 1956, Georgia and the children moved to Mt. Carroll. As a single parent, she raised, dearly loved and provided for her two children. She did office work for Economy Fire & Casualty for four years, Lock Manufacturing for ten years, and Woody Johnston and Tim Kirk Insurance and Real Estate for twelve years. She had a very strong work ethic and was good with people. Georgia was a member of the Mt. Carroll United Methodist Church and the Church Circle.
Georgia was meticulous in her personal appearance and in the appearance of her home. She had a strong belief in doing the right thing, and was one of those birds rarely seen in Carroll County—a Democrat. Georgia showed remarkable determination and resilience in recovering from two heart attacks, the first at age 49 and the second at age 70. After her first heart attack, she was well known for her therapeutic walks around Mt. Carroll. Georgia was a wonderful and giving friend to many. She did many favors for friends in need and was very conscientious in visiting friends who became debilitated. She had a strong will and sharp sense of humor, even as she endured great pain and illness during the past several years. She considered Mt. Carroll her home from 1956 – 2011.
Georgia is survived and lovingly remembered by her daughter, Susan K. Petty of Roscoe, Illinois; her son, Gregory W. (Dr. Christine) Petty of Denver, Colorado; and one granddaughter, Erin A. Petty (fiancé, Ryan Engstrom) of Chicago, Illinois.
Georgia was preceded in death by her parents; her husband Donald Robert Petty; her loving in-laws Mabel Fulrath Petty and Robert Petty; one sister, Ava Lee Lewis; one brother, John Warne, and special friend Herb (Skinny) Spealman. Memorial gifts may be sent Carroll County Senior Services, 306 N. Main St, Mt. Carroll, Il 61053.