Shirley Pettit

Shirley Pettit, age 94, passed away peacefully at home on August 6, 2025, surrounded by her loving family and devoted caregivers.

Born in Lebanon, Kentucky on August 4, 1931, Shirley moved to Louisville at the age of 4 with her parents and five siblings. She would go on to spend a lifetime in Louisville, touching the lives of many with her kindness, generosity, and unwavering sense of duty to others.

Shirley was preceded in death by her beloved husband of 67 years, Charles Pettit She is survived by her youngest sister Regina Thompson, and Regina’s children Leo and Paula, along with many cherished nieces and nephews: Donald Dixon ( Carol), John Dixon ( Janice), Tom Jones (Rick), Wendell Jones ( Freda) and their son Jason and great great nephew Gage, great nephew Michael McNiff ( Carey), Debi Trent ( Bobby) and their daughter Kelli, and Cathy Whalen ( Victor)

A woman of deep compassion and selfless devotion, Shirley lived a life centered around service to others. She lovingly cared for a dear friend for ten years following a stroke, and was a fierce advocate for another elderly friend until her passing. Alongside her husband Charles, Shirley provided quiet support to countless people—offering transportation, tending to yards, and helping with daily tasks, never accepting anything in return.

Shirley’s spirit of service was born in childhood during the Great Depression, when she watched her parents feed the hungry from what little they had. That example left a lasting impression, shaping a life of empathy and generosity.

To her extended family, Shirley was a rock. She played an instrumental role in the lives of many nieces and nephews—welcoming them into her home, taking them on vacations, encouraging their paths in life, and even supporting their education. She opened her heart and home to her niece Cathy at a young age, becoming a second mother and lifelong source of strength and love. Years later, she continued that care by providing support to Cathy’s younger brothers John and Donald after the loss of their father.

A devoted Christian, Shirley found comfort and hope in her faith. She read her Bible faithfully and clung to her belief in God throughout her long illness, serving as a powerful example of grace and resilience.

Shirley’s life was also full of small joys brought by others—flowers, sweet treats, kind visits—all of which made her feel deeply loved. Her family extends heartfelt thanks to her exceptional caregivers, whose patience, humor, and skill made all the difference. We are also grateful to the Hosparus team for their compassionate support, the Lyndon Fire Department for their kindness and assistance during emergencies, and to her wonderful neighbors who looked out for her over the years.

Shirley Pettit’s life reminds us that love, service, and faith can leave a lasting legacy. She was a cornerstone in our family and in her community—a true example of what it means to live for others.

It truly takes a village, and we are forever grateful for Shirley’s.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that expressions of sympathy be expressed with donations to Hosparus or Crusade for Children ( Lyndon Fire Department)

Visitation will be from 10:30 am until the time of the funeral service at 12:00 pm on Monday, August 18, 2025 at Newcomer Cremations, Funerals & Receptions (235 Juneau Drive, Louisville, KY 40243) with burial to follow at Middletown Historical Cemetery in Middletown, Kentucky.

To share a memory of Shirley or leave a special message for her family, please visit the guestbook below.