Stella Ruth Pettiford

Mrs. Pettiford was born in Springfield, Illinois on April 10, 1918 to Russell Davis and Mary Harrington Davis. She attended Isles Elementary School and graduated from Feitschans High School. Following graduation she moved to Marion, Indiana to live with her Sister and Brother-in-Law. She met her husband, Theodore W. Pettiford, in Marion, Indiana and they moved to Detroit, Michigan, where she attended Lewis Business College. Mrs. Pettiford was employed with the Department of Internal Revenue Service and the Michigan Employment Security Commission, from which she retired after 27 ½ years of service.

Mrs. Pettiford accepted Christ at an early age and was faithful until death.

She was a devoted member of Grace United Methodist Church in Springfield, Illinois, where she served in numerous capacities. She was a faithful member of Grace Christian Methodist Episcopal Church, Detroit, Michigan, where she was the first female Stewart, served on Usher Board #2, sang with Challengers Choir and was Secretary of the Church. Mrs. Pettiford was also a loyal member of Second Timothy Baptist Church in Springfield, IL where she served on the Mother's Ministry, sang with the Gloria Harris Ensemble, sang in the Mass Choir and Women's Choir, she was also President of the Frances F. McCoy Missionary Circle. Mrs. Pettiford was former secretary of The Voices of Love, Joy and Peace and was an active member of the East Side Senior Citizens Group.

Funeral Services are scheduled in Springfield at Second Timothy Baptist Church, 1122 East Pine Street Friday September 23, 2016. Visitation at 11:00 a.m. and the Funeral service at 12:00 Noon. Rev. Larry Luster Sr., Pastor officiating. Bisch Funeral Home of Springfield is entrusted with the services.

An additional service will be held in Detroit, Michigan on Wednesday September 28, 2016 at Grace Christian Methodist Episcopal Church. 642 West McNichols, Detroit, Michigan.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made in Mrs. Pettiford's memory, to the Second Timothy Baptist Church.