Max Edward Pettit

Max E. Pettit went to be with The Lord on March 26, 2012 after a long and rewarding life. He was born on September 29, 1922 outside of Hobart Oklahoma but grew up in Abernathy, Texas. He was preceded in death by his wife Dorothy Gilbert Pettit. He is survived by their seven children, Edward Pettit, Russell Hicks (Father Justin), James Pettit, Cecilia Grossman, Carole Petiet, Kenneth Hicks and David Pettit; ten grandchildren; four great-grandchildren; and two of his brothers, Glenn Pettit and Bill Pettit. Max graduated from Baylor University and Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary and went on to serve as a missionary to the Chinese people in China, the Philippines, and Taiwan until 1954. At the time the family moved back to the panhandle of Texas. In 1957 he was called to a small church in Oakridge Oregon. After three years he moved on to a larger church in Bend Oregon where he served for two years. Then he pastored in several small churches over the next few years until in 1968 he moved to El Paso and married his second wife Dorothy. He taught middle school mathematics at Magoffin Middle School and was a pastor at Kemp Street Baptist Church. He retired from teaching in 1984 but continued pastoring at Kemp Street for many years. Up until his death he was deeply involved with the Chinese community in El Paso by ministering to members of the El Paso Grace Chinese Church and by helping any and all visitors and new arrivals from China and Taiwan. He made numerous trips to China during the summers to teach English to students and other interested Chinese people. Max traveled extensively throughout the world including many trips to China and was a friend to many. He touched many lives through kindness and generosity as an example of how to serve the Lord by following the Golden Rule - “Do unto others as you would have them do unto you”. His memory will live on in the numerous lives he influenced. Visitation will be at Sunset Funeral Home-East at 750 North Carolina from 10:00 am - 12:00 pm on Friday, March 30, 2012. A celebration of Max’s life will be held at the First Baptist Church of El Paso, located at 805 Montana Avenue in the Ford Chapel at 4:00 pm on Friday. Memorial donations may be made to the Max and Dorothy Chinese Missions Foundation. Services entrusted to Sunset Funeral Home-East