Houston, Ms
Funeral Home
Houston Funeral Home
Visitation
Thursday, July31, 2025, 10-11 am, Houston First Baptist Church.
Service
Thursday, July31, 2025, 11 am, Houston First Baptist Church.
Obituary
Military Service Tribute, Honors, and Obituary:
Recognizing and Honoring a Fallen Hero, Who Served Within the Mississippi National Guard. “Fallen, Yet Not Forgotten”.
In recognition of our proud American tradition of honorable service which our military men and women have given to their country and our State, we honor a Fallen Hero. Our nation, our state, and the National Guard Association of MS (NGAMS) regard the memorializing of its retired military deceased as an honorable and sacred obligation.
Another great Soldier and Fallen Hero has been released from duty, passed from our ranks on July 28, 2025, and has moved on to his heavenly home. Retired Sergeant First Class James Melvin “Jimmy” Pettigrew, Sr. age 90, who had served in Company A, 223rd Engineer Battalion, has departed and gone to a better place with our Lord and Savior.
It takes a special person to serve within the military for their country, giving up their family time, comfort, and safety for their country, ultimately for all Americans to enjoy their freedoms, safety, and way of life. We now applaud you for your service to our country. A special message from General Douglas McArthur remains applicable today for our servicemen that have passed: “Old Soldiers never die; they just fade away”.
Rest in Peace Soldier. We applaud your patriotism, sacrifices, and brave efforts in serving our country and your family for their support of your service. We thank you for your service. Without your efforts and your families’ support, our country would not stand so boldly, shine so bright, and live so free.
You now have earned a rest, so go fly with the Angels, go rest high on that mountain; your work on earth is done. Go to heaven a-shoutin’ Love for the Father and the Son.
Another great Soldier has gone home, “Fallen, Yet Not Forgotten, Soldier for Life”.
Obituary, Visitation, and Service Details:
Houston, MS- James Melvin “Jimmy” Pettigrew, Sr., age 90, passed from his earthly home on July 28, 2025, in Houston, Ms. James Melvin Pettigrew, Sr. was born. on December 21, 1934, to Dixon Lee Pettigrew and Sula Lytal Pettigrew in the Tupelo, MS. He was retired from the Army National Guard and a faithful member of Houston First Baptist Church.
A Funeral Service will be Thursday, July31, 2025, at Houston First Baptist Church at 11 A.M. with Bro. Cameron O’ Daniel and Bro. Randy Hayes officiating. Visitation will be at the church from 10 A.M. until the time of service. The burial will be at Houston City Cemetery. Houston Funeral Home is honored to serve the Pettigrew Family.
Jimmy is survived by his daughters, Beverly Pettigrew Doss of Houston, MS, Vicki Shepard of Caledonia, MS; his sons, David (Heather) Pettigrew of Roseville, CA; Kevin Hamilton of Caledonia, MS; his grandchildren, Danielle (Chris) Newberry, Kelli (Zach) Foster, Leah (Matt) Stone, Josh (Ariel) Pettigrew, Elisabeth (Aidan) Fletcher, Caleb Pettigrew, and Elijah Pettigrew.
He is preceded in death by his wife of 71 years Pat Pettigrew, his son, James M. Pettigrew, Jr. and his parents, Dixon Lee Pettigrew and Sula Lytal Pettigrew.
In lieu of Flowers, Donations can be made to:
First Baptist Church of Houston, MS
201 W Madison St.
Houston, MS
Or
Alzheimer’s Association
225 N. Michigan Ave., Fl. 17
Chicago, IL 60601