Mary Helen Pettigrew

Memorial Service for Mary Helen Pettigrew will be held at 2:00 pm on Wednesday, March 19, 2025, at First Baptist Church in Brownfield, with Rev. Tommy Rosenblad officiating. Visitation will be held from 5:00 pm to 7:00 pm on Tuesday, March 18, 2025, at Brownfield Funeral Home.

Mary was born on February 22, 1948, to Willie and Betty Carnes in Plainview, TX. She passed away on March 16, 2025, at the age of 77. Mary's journey began in Plainview, but in 1964, she made Brownfield her home, moving here with her beloved grandmother, Helen Stultz, who raised her. A proud graduate of Brownfield High School, she received her diploma in 1966 and soon after married her high school sweetheart, Tom Pettigrew Jr., on May 28, 1967.

Her passion for education led her to earn a Bachelor of Science in Education from Texas Tech University, along with a Master's degree and a Learning Resource Center endorsement. Mary devoted nearly four decades to shaping young minds—teaching first grade at Colonial Heights Elementary for nine years before serving as a librarian for K-12 grades at Plains for two decades, and later at Spring Forest Junior High for six years. Even after her retirement in June 2010, her heart remained committed to education as she taught GED classes at the Ray D. Anderson Correctional Facility.

A lifelong devoted Christian, Mary was an active member of the First Baptist Church in Brownfield. Her faith was the cornerstone of her life, guiding her as she served in various ministries, including Acteens, Women on Mission (WOM), Sunday School, youth and children's programs, and Vacation Bible School.

Mary was preceded in death by her father, Willie Carnes; mother, Betty Messick and husband Ralph; brother, Bill Carnes; grandparents, Marvin and Helen Stultz; and in-laws; Tom and Martha Pettigrew; and brother-in-law, Larry Pettigrew. She is survived by her husband, Tom Pettigrew; daughter, Pebble Dawson and husband Michael; granddaughters, Jaci Roberts and Mallori Dawson; grandsons, Swayde Roberts and Mason Dawson; great-granddaughter, Autumn; brothers, Terry Wolfe and wife Kathy of Auburn, WA, Ray Wolfe of Austin, Chris Sumners and wife Tammy of Gilbert, AZ, Ted Sumners and wife Lois of Salado and David Messick and wife Loretta of Federal Way, WA; sisters, Barbara Woodall of Graham, WA and Susey Carr of Springfield, MO.

A RECORDING OF MARY'S MEMORIAL SERVICE MAY BE VIEWED BY CLICKING HERE.