Helen Almeda Petty

Helen Almeda Petty, a long-time resident of Modesto, California passed away amongst her devoted family on August 11, 2019 at the Alexander Cohen Hospice House in Hughson, California. Born on October 18, 1937 in Meza, Arizona to Fred Raymond and Mabel Jewel Hooley. She spent her younger years chopping and picking cotton in the hot summer sun across the wide-spread acres of the Central Valley. As the oldest of six siblings, her charge was to help raise her brothers and sisters, which she lovingly did. She graduated from Tulare Union high school in the spring of 1956. Only a few years later she would meet the love of her life, Neal Hershel Petty. They were wed on October 28, 1961 in Woodville, California by a close family friend, the Reverend Frank Peaton. Nearly a year later their lives would be brightened by the addition of their only child, LaDonna Kay. Helen would spend the next several years raising their daughter, creating a warm nurturing home, and planting the seeds for a virtuous life.

Helen was a woman who always put God and her family first. She faithfully attended church services throughout the week, often participating in church fellowship activities. Where she found herself most connected to the Lord and His Spirit. Her strong inner moral compass would effortlessly lead her to quoting biblical scriptures. One scripture, in particular, that showcased her faith and sly feverish wit was a biblical verse she would sometimes quote for her daughter. With a grin and a wink, she would smirkingly say “…all liars shall have their part in the lake of fire…” This quote was to tease and cajole her daughter into always being mindful of her choices and the consequences that all actions have.

One of Helen’s greatest passions in life was taking care of children. She was a daycare provider for over twenty-five years, watching over several children in the community. She invested in her profession so much that she was also considered part of their family, invited to birthday parties and other intimate occasions.

Helen had many passions from baking, crocheting, painting her house to pestering her favorite son-in-law “Mean Ed” Martinez, and for being known as “Mrs. Clean”, but the one that she was most fond of was watching her grandson grow from t-ball to varsity baseball. She never missed a game, and always brought that down-home fan spirit, jokingly saying, “If that umpire misses another call against my boy, I’m going to jump on that fence and rattle the cage.” She was very sweet, but FIERCELY PROTECTIVE.

Helen is survived by her husband Neal Petty, her two sisters Barbara Jones of Fairland, Oklahoma, and Susan Ceballos of Modesto, California, her grandson Alexander Martinez with his wife Jessica and their son Ryder, several nieces and nephews, and her beloved daughter LaDonna Kay Martinez.

She has left a lasting impression on all of our lives.

Funeral services provided by Lakewood Memorial, Hughson, California. Visitation will be held on Sunday August 18th from 4-8 pm, followed by her memorial service at 10 am on Monday, August 19th, 2019.