Maurine Elizabeth Stevens Petty

Maurine Petty was born September 23, 1917 to Astinix Douglas and Mary Stevens in Covington, Texas. The Stevens were a pioneer family who came to Hill country in covered wagons in 1851. Maurine grew up on the family farm in Covington, but graduated from Hillsboro High School in 1936 and Baylor University in 1939. She met and married Paul Petty, while they were attending the University of Texas at the beginning of WWII. Captain Petty fought in the Pacific theater while his bride waited for him in San Francisco. They had one daughter there, Susan Maurine Dickey, of Dallas, and two grandsons, Roland Dickey, Jr. and Cullen Paul Dickey.

After the war, the Petty’s settled at the University of Arkansas and later, the University of New Mexico where Dr. Petty headed the Department of Education Administration. Maurine was one of the first women to receive her MBA in banking at the University of New Mexico in 1960. Maurine was a devoted wife and mother and grandmother. She was always a community leader in Albuquerque and later, in Denton, where the Petty’s retired in 1973. Maurine love to give reviews of her favorite books, she was devoted to her Methodist Church where she served as the President of the Women’s Society of Christian Service for many years. She was a lifelong member of PEO. She was always the president of Susan’s PTA, Girl Scout troop or any activity where they could help her daughter. She was known for her angel food cakes.

Dr. Petty’s final project before retirement was as Chief of Party to install a public school system in the country of Columbia. This country-wide system was funded by the USAID and the World Bank. Dr. and Mrs. Petty took on this challenge together in their many international friends and maintained many friendships throughout the world. Dr. Petty was a lifelong Rotarian who never missed a meeting in 40 years. He was a Paul Harris Fellow and attended clubs all over the world. He started several new rotary clubs and a Rotoract club at UNT for college foreign students. The Petty’s loved to entertain young from many countries. These college students became like family members to the Petty’s. Several even lived with the Petty’s when they need a place to stay.

Maurine was preceded in death by Paul in 2000 after 58 years if devoted marriage. Dr. Petty is buried at the DFW cemetery and Maurine will join him there. Once more they can be happy together again.

There will be a private service at the graveside for immediate family at the DFW National Cemetery.