Margaret McSwain Petty, 90, of Shelby, NC passed away on Monday, February 8, 2021 at her residence.

She was born on May 7, 1930 in Rutherford County, NC to the late Butler McSwain and the late Gladys Littlejohn McSwain.

Mrs. Petty married the late Rev. Samuel Petty on April 17, 1949. After marrying, she joined Green Bethel Baptist Church and then many years later she joined Maple Springs Baptist Church where she sang on the choir and worked along side the church family experiencing many happy adventures until her health failed in her Golden years. She was always at church and loved going on church tours with her church family. She believed in giving of her time and her monies to her Heavenly Father. She had three special friends who traveled with her in her ministry, Mrs. Inez Brooks, Mrs. Mamie Elliott and Mrs. Thelma Thompson.

Mrs. Petty loved spending time with her family including her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. She was also wonderful with flowers and had some of the most beautiful flower gardens. She enjoyed cooking too and sharing big meals with her family and those who were less fortunate.

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Rev. Samuel Petty; two daughters, Margaret Eartha Petty and Shirley Petty Morris; son, Wiley Petty, Sr.; grandson, Orrin Petty; brother, Howard McSwain; sister, Mertis Davis; two brothers-in-law, Beaty Petty and Joe Petty and sisters-in-law, Louzinna Surratt, Mary Nell Wise, Fannie Huskey, Rita McKinney and Pearl Petty.

She was an exceptional mother whose memory will be cherished by her surviving children, Mary Petty of Kingstown, NC, Linda Petty of the home, Janade Petty and Wade Petty both of Boiling Springs, NC; two whom she helped to rear, Sandra Briscoe and Carolyn Thompson Haynes; one sister-in-law, Linda Surrancy of Charlotte, NC; twelve grandchildren; thirty great-grandchildren; ten great-great grandchildren and a host of nieces, nephews and a community of friends.

The funeral service for Mrs. Petty will be private. She can be viewed from 11:00 AM until 1:00 PM on Friday, February 12, 2021 at S.T. Enloe Memorial Chapel. Burial will take place at Cleveland Memorial Park Cemetery in Shelby, NC. Condolences can be expressed online at www.enloemortuary.com. Enloe Mortuary is in charge of the arrangements.ā