Roosevelt Petty, Sr. was born March 8, 1931 in Smith County, TX. , the son of John Petty and Purthina Jackson. He married Lois Marie Price Petty on May 14, 1954. He was a member of New Zion Baptist Church, Winona, TX.

He was preceded in death by his parents, his wife of 42 years; Lois Marie Price-Petty, two daughters; Virginia Nell Petty and Debra Ann Gaddis, one son; Gerald Dean Petty, one grandson; Reginald Dewberry, one great-granddaughter; London Dewberry, five brothers; Rufus Pullum, Dallas Jackson, Sam Jackson, James Jackson, and H.C. Carpenter, two sisters; Clemmie Mae Pullum, and Virginia Daughtery.

He leaves to cherish beautiful memories of three son; Roosevelt, Jr. (Georgia) of Tyler, Carl Wayne Petty and Bryant Keith Petty, both of Winona, TX., two daughters; Vivian Louise Petty of Winona, and Dorothy Jean Dewberry of Swan. 13 grandchildren; 31 great-grandchildren; seven great-great grandchildren, sisters; Vivian Johnson of Houston, Lillie Shackleford of Tyler, Florence Hawkins and Stella Jackson both of Lindale, brothers; Johnny Paul Pullum of Hawkins, and John Henry Jackson of Gladewater, and a host of nieces, nephews, and friends