Pettis Family Collection, Circa 1970-2001
Collection context
Summary
- Extent:
- 2 Hollinger Boxes
- Language:
- English
- Preferred citation:
Pettis Family Collection, African American Research Library and Cultural Center, Broward County Library.
Background
- Scope and content:
The Pettis Family Collection contains correspondence, personal papers, photographs, newspaper clippings, and awards regarding the Pettis family's Great American Family Award honor and community service in Broward County.
- Biographical / historical:
Cyrus Pettis was born in 1920 in New Smyrna Beach, Florida to parents Rembert and Toby Pettis. He received training in culinary arts and became the head waiter at Polly Davis Cafeteria in Miami. He met his wife Sara Louise Jones Pettis (1921-2012) there and they married on January 30, 1941. A Miami native, Sara Pettis graduated from Booker T. Washington School in 1938 and received an associate's degree from Florida Normal and Industrial Institute in St. Augustine in 1940.
Cyrus Pettis served in the US Navy in 1944 during World War II. They moved to Fort Lauderdale, Florida in 1947 and Cyrus began working for the U.S. Postal Service for 25 years. Sara Pettis was a homemaker and teacher's aide. Together they raised seven children. In 1985, the Pettis family was honored as a Great American Family by Nancy Reagan at the White House. They were one of nine families in the country to receive the award for their civic service. In 1986, the Florida House of Representatives passed a resolution in recognition of the Pettis family.
Cyrus Pettis was a member of the Mount Olive Baptist Church and served seniors in the community. Sara Pettis was nominated to the Dr. Nan S. Hutchinson Broward Senior Hall of Fame in 1990 for her community service: election polls, the elderly, fundraising for students at Dillard High School and Stranahan High School, and her involvement with the Mount Olive Baptist Church Substance Abuse Program.
Cyrus Pettis passed away on November 18, 2004 from illness. Cyrus and Sara were married for 63 years. Sara Pettis passed away on February 15, 2012.
- Acquisition information:
- Donated by Sara L. Pettis in 2003.
- Processing information:
This collection received file level processing. This finding aid may be updated to reflect new descriptions as well as acquisitions to the collection.
- Arrangement:
The collection is arranged into five series: Series I: Correspondence, Series II: Great American Family Award, Series III: Photographs, Series IV: Personal Papers, and Series V: Awards.
- Rules or conventions:
- Describing Archives: A Content Standard
Access and use
- Restrictions:
Pettis Family Collection is open for research.
- Preferred citation:
Pettis Family Collection, African American Research Library and Cultural Center, Broward County Library.
- Location of this collection:
-
African American Research Library and Cultural Center, Broward County Library2650 Sistrunk BoulevardFort LauderdaleFL33311USA
