- Date Of Birth: November 11, 1927
- Date Of Death: August 6, 2013
- State: Alabama
Inez Mims Petty was born November 11, 1927, in the Vida Community of Autauga County, Alabama to the late Thomas Edgar and Lela Mims. She was the only child from this union.
Inez confessed Christ at an early age and joined Friendship Baptist Church in the Friendship Community where she served until she left home to attend college. Inez attended college at Alabama A&M University, Normal, Alabama (Huntsville, AL) and graduated with a Bachelors of Science Degree in Home Economics Education in 1946. Inez later received a Master’s Degree in Home Economics Education from Tuskegee University in 1964.
As a 20 year old graduate from Alabama A&M University, Inez moved to Moulton, Alabama when she was hired as the Negro Home Demonstration Agent in Lawrence County. While living in Moulton, Inez was married to the late Anderson Grant Petty and to this union they were blessed with two lovely children, Andrea Petty-Blankenship and Norris Anderson Petty. Inez worked with the office through the 1964 court order that combined the Black and White offices under one roof.
On August 1, 1977, Inez was promoted to County Agent Coordinator – Home Economics Agent, taking on administration of the county extension service as part of her duties. Until then, there had not been a woman who had served as head of the county extension office in the state of Alabama. After 36 years of service in the Extension Service, Inez retired in September 1985.
When she first came to Moulton, Inez was a member of Freeman Tabernacle Baptist Church but later joined her husband at Smith Chapel CME Church. Inez served faithfully at Smith Chapel as Sunday School Teacher, Sunday School Superintendent, and as Chairperson for several programs.
Inez is survived by her daughter, Andrea Petty Blankenship of Litiz, Pennsylvania, and son, Norris Anderson Petty (Eletra) of Madison, Alabama; two grandsons, Gabriel Blankenship and Zachary Blankenship of Litiz, Pennsylvania, and a host of cousins, nieces, nephews and friends.
