Jan. 10, 1918 –

June 19, 2011

Funeral services for Margaret Grace “Gracie” Pettyjohn, 93, of Bainbridge, Ga., will be held Wednesday, June 22, at 11 a.m. at First Presbyterian Church with Dr. Gerald A. Little officiating.

A private entombment service will be at Oak City Cemetery with Buster Bolton, Tuffy Nussbaum, Gerard Kwilecki, Jon McRae, Steve Poitevint, Tom Conger, Howard Griffin and Charles Walker serving as active pallbearers.

Mrs. Pettyjohn was born Jan. 10, 1918, in Graceville, Fla., the daughter of James Thaddeus Grace and Frances Leo Crumbley Grace. She died Sunday, June 19, 2011, at Memorial Hospital.

She was a graduate of Graceville High School, attended Georgia State College for women for three years and was a graduate of the University of Georgia. Gracie was married to Sam J. Pettyjohn, a Yankee from Jacksonville, Fla., on Dec. 29, 1939, in Campbellton, Fla. They lived in Graceville and Marianna, Fla., Boston, Mass., San Diego, Calif., Madison, Fla., and Bainbridge. They celebrated their 68th wedding anniversary in 2007.

She was a teacher in Cottondale, Fla., Climax, West Bainbridge and Bainbridge. A teacher for more than 30 years, she taught home economics, kindergarten and seventh grade. She always said, “I was a teacher, not an educator.”

Gracie was a founding member of the Charlie King Garden Club and the Ward Bible Class. She was an Elder Emeritus in the First Presbyterian Church. She was always a student and lover of people. She loved “bunching up” with family and friends. Her favorite pastime was people watching, then people meeting, and then “friend making.” Playing bridge was next in line. She always believed in fate, and that a special lucky handkerchief could be worn on her head to make the games more interesting. Her life was one of enthusiastic support for all children of all ages.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Sam J. Pettyjohn.

Survivors include her two sons and daughters-in-law, Jack and Cheryl Pettyjohn of Perry, Ga., and Thad and Helen Pettyjohn of Climax; her five grandchildren, Sam Jack Desolver, Molly Pettyjohn, Gracie Pettyjohn, Margretta P. Smith and Margaret P. Phillips; and her five great-grandchildren, Drew Pettyjohn, Devon Pettyjohn, Mary Grace Smith, Elizabeth McGavock Smith and Anniston Willis.

Ivey Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements.