Dorothy Pettifield

Dorothy Lorena Welch Pettifield departed this world on the adventure of her life on December 9, 2018. God touched her hand at 10:24 AM and she peacefully went to join her loved ones that preceded her in death.

Before she was the adoring wife, mother, grandmother and great-grandmother that we loved so dearly, she was a sweet, giving, loving daughter and sister. She was born into this world on December 6, 1930 to parents Bennie B. and Clora Milligan Welch in Rayne, LA. When she was a teenager in 1943 her father moved his family from Rayne, LA to Lake Charles, LA to accept a job position at a local refinery.

Within 2 years she met a very handsome Marine by the name of Cecil P. Pettifield. They were married in 1946 in Lake Charles, LA where they remained to start their family.

Along came 4 sons followed by 5 daughters. She spent every single day of her life a dedicated wife, mother, daughter, sister, grandmother and great-grandmother. During this time, she was also a dedicated full time employee of the Calcasieu Parish School Board for almost 30 years. She took great pride in providing her students with hot, healthy meals and prided herself in never allowing any student to leave hungry.

After the loss of her husband of 45 years, in May of 1991, after battling a lengthy illness, she had filled her life with celebrating all of the momentous moments in the lives of her loved ones. She blossomed and thrived at sharing these times. She will always be remembered for the sweetest smile and coined the phrase “They must be feeling bad or have a fever” so the children wouldn’t be punished.

She was preceded in death by her beloved father and mother followed by her husband,

Cecil P. Pettifield, Sr., her first born son, Cecil Pettifield, Jr. Also, by her only brother, Ervin Richard, Jr. and his loving wife Muriel; her sister, Hilda and her devoted husband Clyde Spell; brothers-in-law, Donald Lollard and Rev. Dallas Shuff.

Those left behind to cherish and honor her memories are sons, Ronnie (Georgie) Pettifield, Perrin, TX, Johnny (Cynthia) Pettifield, Topsy, LA, George W. Pettifield, Lake Charles, LA; daughters, Bennie Sue (Sonny) Mason, Moss Bluff, LA, Janice (Eddie) Perkins, DeQuincy, LA, Donna Renee Pettifield, DeQuincy, LA, Tracy Lynn (Tim) Howard, Woodlawn, LA, Kristi (Richard) Howard of Iowa, LA; daughter-in-law, Barbara Peugh Pettifield, Whitt, TX; sisters, Sadie Shuff, Moss Bluff, LA, Reva Sargeant, Moss Bluff, LA, Alberta Lollar, Olla, LA.

She also leaves the loves and joys of her life, 18 beautiful grandchildren and 22 very precious great-grandchildren, and numerous nieces and nephews that fondly refer to her as Aunt Dot.

Her funeral service will be held at noon on Wednesday, December 12, 2018 at Johnson Funeral Home of Moss Bluff. The Rev. Marcus Wade will officiate. Visitation will be held at the funeral home on Tuesday from 5 PM until 8 PM and will continue on Wednesday from 10 AM until the start of the service.

Mrs. Pettifield will be laid to rest next to her husband at Creel Cemetery in Dry Creek.

The honor of pallbearers to carry her to her final resting place will be the grandsons she adored. They are as follows: Kinnley Howard, Cody Howard, Daniel McGary, Jeffery Pettifield, Josh Pettifield and Chase Warden.

The family would like to extend our special thanks to Christus St. Patrick Hospice for their loving attention and care of our mother and family during our time of need. They would also like to extend special thanks to Tracy, Dawn, Elaine, Lisa, Angela and Jenna.