Edna Earle "Nana" Walker Pettigrew

"Sugar, classy, positive, kind, openhearted, loving, believer, mother, strong, creative, compassionate, smiling, giving, entertaining, supportive, devoted, faithful."

These are the words her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren used to describe her, if words could even encompass the beauty of such a woman of God. Edna Earl Walker Pettigrew, lovingly and simply known by all as

"Nana", peacefully passed away on the morning of October 13, 2023. Nana often spoke of St. Peter and his pearly gates. One can only imagine the jubilation in heaven as those pearly gates were opened, and those who had gone before her rushed towards her embrace. Nana is finally home.

Edna Earle Walker was born on June 19, 1928, in Velasco, Brazoria County, Texas. She was the youngest of five children born to Alvin Clarence Walker and his wife Myrtle Ruth Rickaway. Although both of her brothers served in the war, it was her brother Leroy who befriended his drill sergeant Delmar Monroe Pettigrew and brought him home. At the time Edna Earle was only 14. When Delmar came back to be the best man in Leroy's wedding a few years later, he exclaimed, "Edna Earle has grown up!" They were married on August 16, 1946, in a double ceremony alongside her older sister Tuda and her groom. They lived in Houston for a brief time where their first son, Ricky Earl was born, then shortly after, moved to Old Ocean, Texas. It was Old Ocean that became their permanent home and where 4 more beautiful children would be born: Leslie, Marilyn, Tammy, and Timothy.

As well as being a devoted mother and wife, Edna Earle spent most of her life serving as an active community volunteer and leader. As a member of the Civic Club, Garden Club, Pink Ladies, and Auxiliary of Bennett Outlar Baseball Park, there were few who didn't know the compassionate, energetic, and giving Edna Earle Pettigrew. She even taught Sunday school at Old Ocean Baptist Church for over 50 years!

Nana's love for animals began at a young age with a pet rabbit named Homer and a dog named Pooch. In 1932 on the way back from fleeing a storm, Edna Earl saw a mama cat and 3 little kittens. Her mother said no, but her father, without a word, got out of the car and brought back that mama cat and 3 baby kittens. Ever since then, as Nana would say, "Cats have been following me ever since." The Snow White of the family, Nana loved and cared for many pets throughout her life. You didn't know Nana if you didn't know her parrots, cats, and dogs throughout the years.

Edna Earle Pettigrew knew God and Jesus. She was an active churchgoer her entire life and relied upon the Lord for all her strength. She read the scriptures and carried a hymn in her heart always. Nana was asked recently how she was able to endure the loss of three of her children. She simply replied, "Well, it's Jesus. He is my comfort, and He makes me strong." Her unwavering stalwart faith is her greatest legacy to her posterity. In her own words, "Death is nothing to fear for the ones of us that trust and love God when the event happens to us. The second verse of Jesus Loves Me goes like this -If I love Him when I die, He will take me home on high- Even now at my age, I feel confident singing this verse."

Edna Earl was preceded in death by her husband of over 70 years, Delmar "Pill" Pettigrew, two sons Rick Pettigrew and Les Pettigrew, daughter Tammy Ennis, and a grandson Richard Pettigrew. She is survived on Earth by daughter-in-law Shirley Pettigrew, daughter-in-law Eileen Pettigrew, son-in-law Kirk Long and daughter Marilyn Long, son-in-law Tom Ennis, son Tim Pettigrew and daughter-in-law Anna Pettigrew, her foreign exchange daughter Helen French and her husband Robert Piggott from England, 14 grandchildren, 25 great grandchildren, 6 great-great grandchildren, numerous nieces and nephews, and an abundance of friends.

Nana leaves behind the joy, laughter, and the memory of every ski trip, cruise, Halloween party, Christmas carol, scavenger hunt, party game, family reunion, domino game, card game, poetic invitation, fashion show, scripture shared, Christmas morning, and every "ding dum ding dum". She was a light upon this earth, now illuminated to shine upon us all as a returned Daughter of God.

A celebration of life will be held on Wednesday, October 18, 2023, at 2:00 p.m. at the First Methodist Church of Sweeny.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to The Sweeny Hospital Pink Ladies Auxiliary in Nana's honor.