Mariah Petty

After a long period of declining health, Mariah Cameron (Mickey) Smith Petty went to be with her Lord on Wednesday, February 16, 2011. She was born a twin on June 5, 1919 in Petersburg to Mariah C. and Gayle R. Smith. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her beloved husband, Carlton R. Petty. She was a member of Immanuel Baptist where she was a member of the Mercy Sunday school class, active in the Sunshine Club and until declining health was a Sunday school teacher and active in the adult choir. She worked for Titmus Optical and Rucker Rosenstock in Petersburg, and for many years a Clerk at Colonial Heights Drug Store. Mariah is survived by a daughter, Margaret Gayle P. Suyes and husband, Melvin; grandson, Brian R. Suyes and wife, Melissa; twin sister, Gayle Lewis S. Jones of Petersburg; three cousins, James Bryant Smith of Williamsburg, Alma Smith Perkins of Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, and Jean Mangum of Petersburg; and a number of nieces and nephews by marriage. A graveside service will be held at 3:00 p.m. Monday, February 21, 2011 in Blandford Cemetery, Petersburg and a memorial service will be held at 7:00 p.m. Monday, February 21, 2011 in Immanuel Baptist Church, 620 Lafayette Avenue, Colonial Heights, Virginia 23834. Officiating at the services will be the Reverend Fred Adkins and the Reverend Robert Livesay. The family will receive friends from 4 to 6:00 p.m. Sunday at the Colonial Heights Chapel of the E. Alvin Small Funeral Homes & Crematory, 2033 Boulevard. Flowers are appreciated, or contributions may be made the Building Fund of Immanuel Baptist Church.