Donderick Pettieway

Donderick Cecil Pettieway, surrounded by his wife, mother, and youngest son, departed this life on August 19, 2019 at a hospice care facility in The Woodlands, TX. He was a gentle giant and such a jewel of a man – full of love and compassion. He displayed dignity and respect to everyone he met.

“Dee” as he was affectionately called by family and friends, was born in Sulphur, LA on April 23, 1973, to Georgia Pettieway-Balka. He grew up in Westlake, LA and attended the Mount Calvary Baptist Church in Lake Charles, LA, under the leadership of Dr. H.C. Allison, where he sung with the “Young Voices of Praise Choir.”

In 1991, he attended Westlake High School, where he was as a member of the school’s basketball and track teams. He continued his education by enrolling in the Delta Tech School of Business where he completed an Associate Degree in Electronics and Drafting. He later attended Sowela Technical School and completed the requirements for the Aircraft Mechanics course.

On December 3, 1993 Donderick married his lovely wife, Michelle Zachary Pettieway. They had two sons Orlando T. Pettieway and Keyshawn D. Pettieway. With his family, he enjoyed traveling around the country.

For five years Donderick worked for Northrop Grunman and then he moved to Houston, TX. Donderick attended San Jacinto College – North and completed the process Technician course. He spent his last nine years as a process operator at Afton Chemical Corporation, in Pasadena, TX.

Donderick was a member of Refuge Temple Ministries in Humble, TX. As a result of his faithfulness to God, He was ordained a Deacon. He also worked as a Sound Technician on the Audio Team, he was a Core Team Member of the Brotherhood, and he was the Coordinator for the Men’s Retreat.

Preceding him in death are his maternal grandparents, who raised him as a child, James W. Pettieway, Sr. and Virginia Pettieway; and an aunt, Bessie Cook.

He is survived by his caring wife, of twenty five years, Michelle Pettieway; two sons, Orlando and Keyshawn Pettieway; his mother, Georgia Pettieway-Balka of Westlake, LA; two sisters, LaMechia (Bryan) Allison of Westlake, LA and Calvinette Pettieway of Fayettville, NC; three brothers, Christopher (Chastity) Balka of Lake Charles, LA, Harold (Regina) Balka of Atlanta, GA, and Dale Balka of Franklin, LA; his uncle, James W. Pettieway; and two God Daughters, Bree-Anna Pettieway and Hannah (Denzel) Rolax.

A celebration of his life and legacy will be held on Saturday, August 31, 2019 at Refuge Temple Ministries, 15400 Old Humble Road, Humble, TX 77396. Visitation will he held from 9:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. The Homegoing service will follow with Chief Apostle Wendell Archie officiating.

Burial will be in Brookside Memorial Park, 13747 Eastex Freeway, Houston, TX 77039.