Mavis Pettus

Mavis Waters Pettus, age 96, passed away peacefully in her Vestavia Hills, AL home Monday, September 14, 2020. She was born March 27, 1924 in Wedowee, AL to John Larkin and Rhoda May Waters. She married Donnell Lindsay Pettus in Birmingham on August 4, 1948. They enjoyed many years together raising their family then traveling the world after their retirement. Mavis worked for the Irondale School System as the elementary principal's assistant.

Mavis was full of joy and loved spending time in her beautiful garden.  She won many prizes for her floral arrangements with the Crestwood Garden Club.  She also loved spending time with her friends and family, especially playing bridge with friends, and winning against her family in Scrabble and Dominoes due to her excellent cheating skills.

She is survived by her daughter, Nancy Pettus Kennemer (Jim); her son, Donnell Lindsay Pettus, Jr. (Ann); four grandchildren, Jim Kennemer (Lindsay); Lindsay Kennemer Hackney (Mitchell); Zachary Reynolds (Brittany); and Annie Reynolds. She is also survived by her brother George Truman Waters and her sister Mary Evelyn Ward as well as many nieces, nephews, and cousins.

Mavis was preceded in death by her husband, Don; her parents, Larkin and Rhoda Waters; her sister, Louise Harrison; and her brother, Maurice Waters.

She was a lifelong Methodist attending Avondale United Methodist Church, then later in life Saint Mark United Methodist Church in Birmingham. If desired, in lieu of flowers memorial donations can be made to either church:

Avondale United Methodist Church
Online:  https://www.avonumc.net/giving/
Mail:  500 40th Street South, Birmingham, AL 35222

Saint Mark United Methodist Church
Online:  https://saintmarkumc.org/give/
Mail:  2901 Columbiana Road, Vestavia Hills, AL  35216

A special thanks to Ruth McGinnis for her loving care for Mavis in her last years, as well as Deborah Turner and Veronica Smith for their care and support in her last months.

A private burial is planned for the family on Friday, September 18, 2020 at Athens City Cemetery.