Joseph Pettway Sr.

Joseph Pettway is the son of Cleveand Scott and Georgia Pettway. (Georgia's father was Scott Cabble, who has moved to Pass Christian, Mississippi.) Joseph was born on February 08, 1918, in Pass Christian, MS. His mother, Georgia had moved from Wilcox County, Alabama(a plantation called Irby's). Georgia a great speaker and smart young lady had committed the ultimate sin, she had become impregnated, out of wedlock by Cleveland Scott who was the husband of Virginia Witherspoon Scott. Georgia worried so much about her condition and felt terribly because she had disappointed her parents and not lived up to her potential. She had a nervous breakdown and died before her only child, Joseph, was ten months old. She died on December 11, 1918, at the Searcy Hospital(the State hospital for Black citizens with mental breakdowns, in Mt. Vernon, AL. Georgia died from Pellagra, as stated on her death certificate in the Alabama Center for Health Statistics. Georgia was only eighteen years old, at her death.

Joseph never knew a mother's love but was returned from Mississippi by her maternal aunt, Savannah Pettway Cabble. Savannah was the daughter of Nancy, the wife of Willie Cabble, and the sister of Martha Ann Pettway Gable, Harriett, JC, Maxwell, Florence, Peggy, and Ida Mae.

Savannah returned Joseph to Irby's where his maternal grandmother, Nancy Pettway Boozer raised him, as her child.

Joseph never spent a night in his father's home and was only recognized by his father, as a son, when Joseph was grown and became prosperous.

Joseph married Menda Gamble in 1950 and three children were born and one "adopted" by them.

Jo Celeste, Elyton Clayton(July 1956-January 1957), Joseph, Jr., and Maxwell.

Joseph is a wonderful father and husband.