Mrs. Gilda Kerns Pettit, age 82, of Cedartown passed away Thursday, July 2, 2009. She was born September 6, 1926 in Piedmont, Al, the daughter of the late Felton L. and Sara Barton Kerns.

Gilda attended Brenau College and studied voice and opera under Madam Ringo. She was past President of the Cedartown Music Club and taught school in the Polk School District. Gilda also enjoyed working in the church library, especially decorating the display windows. She was an active member of the First Baptist Church Choir.

Mrs. Pettit is survived by Husband, Byron Pettit; Son and Daughter-in-law, Gray Pettit and Milda Pettit; Daughter, Rebecca Pettit Caldwell; Nine Grandchildren, Stacie Caldwell Sanders, Ty Caldwell, Laurel Caldwell Womack, Mimi Caldwell Pope, Jennifer Pettit Benefield, Hattie Pettit Molidor, Gregory Pettit, Bridgette Pettit, and Aaron Pettit; Thirteen Great-Grandchildren, Will, Gracie, Mason, Matthew, Haden, Brian, Shea, Tyler, Adrianna, Savannah, Elizabeth, Owen, and Trevor; and Four Great-Great-Grandchildren, Chyler, Amberlie, Draven, and Bralin.

Mrs. Pettit is preceded in death by her parents.

The funeral service for Mrs. Pettit will be conducted on Sunday, July 5, 2009, at 2:00 p.m. in the Chapel of the First Baptist Church with Rev. Wayne Benefield and Rev. Jason Loudermilk officiating. Interment will follow in Northview Cemetery. Ty Caldwell, Haden Pope, Brian Pope, Eddie Benefield, Tim Molidor, Jimmy Womack, and Frank "Bud" Lott will be serving as pallbearers. Tyler Griffith, Aaron Pettit, Owen Womack, and Gregory Pettit will serve as honorary pallbearers.

The visitation for family and friends will be held prior to the funeral service on Sunday, July 5, 2009 from 1:00 – 2:00 p.m. at the Gammage Funeral Home.

Flowers will be accepted, however, donations can be made to the Music Department at the First Baptist Church, 101 N. College St, Cedartown, GA 30125 in memory of Mrs. Gilda Pettit.

The Olin L. Gammage and Sons Funeral Home is handling the arrangements for Mrs. Gilda Kerns Pettit.