Charles Elven Petty of Sheridan, Arkansas was born April 9 ^th , 1941 to Earl and Leah Cogburn Petty in Norman, Arkansas. At birth, he was given the middle name "Elven," which he hated. Most people who knew him did not even know his middle name and he made it clear that he did not want it known until he was gone. Charles spent his early childhood with his siblings roaming and hunting the hills and fishing the creeks of Montgomery County- skills that were passed on to them by their Mom and Dad. The family made their living off the land, raising cotton and then picking and chopping cotton, following the harvest through Oklahoma and down into Texas.

He graduated from Leola School in 1961 as salutatorian of his class. He was an older graduate, but that is because he started school very late as a child due to the fact that a new road had to be built to get him from home to school. He often proudly told the story about graduating second in his class, but often forgot to include the fact that there were only two graduates in his class.

He began his service in the US Army in 1963. After graduating with honors from the Southeastern Signal School in Fort Gordon, Georgia, he was stationed in West Germany until 1965 and continued on Reserve duty until 1969. He was a machinist by trade, and worked in a tool and die shop until he was hired at West Bend in Sheridan. In 1973, he went to work for the Cotton Belt Railway as a Locomotive Machinist. He retired from Union Pacific Railroad in 2004. After some time of retirement, he returned to the workforce where he worked for South East Arkansas Transit, driving people all across central Arkansas to and from their appointments.

He was a history buff, enjoyed traveling, reading Louis L'Amour books, fixing things (but never finishing them), and most of all he enjoyed spending time with his family.

Charles' earthly life ended and by the grace of God through salvation in Jesus Christ, he entered into the presence of his Heavenly Father on September 11, 2019.

He is survived by the love of his life, Sherley Petty, whom he met in the milk aisle at Mad Butcher, just a few short months after his son had made the statement "Sherley Hix would be a good match for Dad."   She will miss him dearly, as he always made her laugh and told her every night "I love you" over and over and over."

He is also survived by the pride of his life – his sons, Eric and Nathan Petty, his favorite daughter- in-law (though he could never choose exactly which one was favorite) Niki and Tabitha Petty and the apples of his eye – his grandchildren, Elizabeth, John, Leah, Lauren and Sam Petty, William and Christopher Hix and Lacy Hix, and great grandchildren Griffen and Addison Hix.

He will also be missed dearly by his surviving siblings, Betty and Carl Kelly of Sheridan, Billy and Chloe Petty of Malvern, step-son, Gary Don Hix, wife Renee of Grapevine, along with a host of nieces, nephews and many friends.

He is preceded in death by his parents, his brother, John Petty and step-son, Scotty Hix.

Funeral Services will be held at 11:00 A.M. Monday, September 16 ^th , 2019 at Memorial Gardens Funeral Home with the Reverend Danny Hill, and Reverend Shawn Hill officiating. Burial will follow at Lost Creek Cemetery. Visitation will be prior to the service from 9:00 until service time.

Pallbearers are Eric Petty, Nathan Petty, John Petty, Gary Don Hix, Dale Crutchfield and Jimmy McCoskey.