Shelby Jean Parr Petty, age 86, passed away peacefully on January 2, 2025 in Lafayette, Louisiana after a lengthy battle with Alzheimer's disease.

Shelby Jean was born April 23,1938 in Whigham, Georgia to Samuel Watson Parr and Jesse Lucille Sanders Parr.  She was married to Kenneth T. Petty for sixty-six wonderful years. She was a loving wife, mother, grandmother and great grandmother.

While living in Crosby, Mississippi, Shelby Jean was employed with the Kellwood Manufacturing Company. As part of her employment, she was able to spend time in Haiti and developed a love for the people there. No one was a stranger to Shelby Jean. She was a wizard in the kitchen always whipping up her favorite pound cake or a four-course meal for someone in need. She was a devoted member of Crosby Baptist Church where she lived out her faith as a good steward sharing her time, wisdom and relationships.  Shelby Jean was always doing her share of taking care of others. She was one of eleven children and recognized early on the importance of a strong family unit. Her biological mother died when Shelby Jean was only four years old. Thereafter, she was loved and graciously raised by her stepmother, Theatus Pearson Parr.

Survivors include her son Richard "Smokey" Petty (Christine); her daughter, Pam Petty Burrow, brother Billy Ray Parr, and ten grandchildren: Desha, Steven (Cristen), Samantha, Nikki, Chelsey (Jordy), Lindsey (Jeffrey) Jenna, Taylor (Erica), Trey and Lauren. Twelve great grandchildren: Austin, Courtney, Andrea, Hadley, Elliette, Ridley, Max, Brent, Dakota, Kalen, Tony and Katea, along with a host of nieces and nephews.

Shelby Jean was preceded in death by her husband Kenneth T. Petty, her parents Samuel and Jesse Parr, stepmother Theatus P. Parr, her son, Steven Deron Petty; son-in-law Dwight H. Burrow, Jr.; her five brothers: Joseph M. Pearson, Harold Pearson, Hayward "Mickey" Watson Parr, Douglas McArthur Parr, Samuel Watson Parr, Jr. and her four sisters, Eunalene P. Johnson, Rosalyn Neely, Bonnie Zeigler and Dorothy Wright.

Visitation will be Sunday, January 5, 2025, at Brown Funeral Home in Gloster, Mississippi, from 12:00 P.M. until time of funeral services at 3:00 P.M. at the funeral home. Brother Bart Houston will officiate the services. Interment will be held in Roseland Cemetery in Gloster, Mississippi.

Upholding the honor of pallbearers will be Kevin Longmire, Randy Foreman, Steven Petty, Michael Petty, Steve Hayes, and Ray Rutland.

Honorary pallbearers will be Luke Longmire and Buddy Barbo.

A reception for family and friends will be held after the services at Crosby Baptist Church.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Crosby Baptist Church, 115 Church Street, Crosby, Mississippi 39633-3582 or the charity of your choice.