Jeanna Rae Petty

Jeanna Rae Petty, 72, daughter of Elva Jean & Raymond Dow Petty, passed away on Valentines Day 2024 in her home in Woodland, Washington with her daughter and close family by her side. 

Jeanna was an amazing woman, but probably not in every way the world goes about defining amazing. Though very articulate, assertive, and determined in everything she committed to, Jeanna was humble and kind, and would be described as such by anyone who had the privilege to have known her. She had a way of compassionately feeling what others were feeling around her….never assuming or presuming, and definitely not judging or asserting herself where one ought not. Yet, she had a knack for drawing out the best in effort and determination in those under her mentor-ship. This was true in both her personal and professional life. 

As a young adult, with the world seemingly aligned against her, she took on a career in real-estate management and consulting, while raising her daughter in stellar fashion; those formative years gifting that daughter by example with her same work and moral ethic. This gift of love, was unmistakably outpoured into her daughter; ultimately manifesting in her grandchildren in ways too beautiful and profound to capture in written language (sentiment of her son-in-law). Whether it be the territory that goes along with being a single mom, or whether it was passed down from her father Raymond, who was known to be a hard driving individual himself, Jeanna found herself always working to address everything that must be done in the day.

People close to her would also agree that Jeanna was most at home when she was in God’s Creation; In His nature and around His animals – and that love ran deep. During her childhood in El Paso, Texas, her most sacred and special personal time was spent with horses. She didn’t grow up on a farm, but that environment grew up with her in her dreams; that one day, she might be immersed in that environment. With her daughter raised, and her consulting company doing quite well, she ended up making her dreams a reality, buying a plot of land, building a home, stables, and eventual horse arena in St Helens, Oregon. 

She was surrounded by all that she dreamed of when her dementia set in and took her mind; but not her heart and soul. Her daughter and son-in-law had the pleasure of caring for her in the last years – witnessing her joy and smiles on many occasion. Did anyone know she liked music, and even had impeccable rhythm as she would move her feet to 50s rock as if dancing? Amazing!! Who knew!? She kept it a secret. 

If you would have asked a younger daughter if her mom was joyous, she may have hesitated, though she would have said she always looked for the rainbow in the rain. But if you were to ask an older daughter that same question, there would be no hesitation. You see, the farm environment was not the only factor coalescing in the peace and rest of her life. Jeanna's faith in and love of Christ was ultimately what brought her there.

Jeanna will surely be missed by her daughter Tamy (Jeff) Hicks, grandson Devin Hicks (Rachel), and granddaughters Kimberly Hicks and Brooklynn Hicks, great-granddaughter Mandy Hicks and sisters Donna Arnold and Debbie Petty. 

In lieu of flowers, her daughter has set up a scholarship to honor her mother and to support other caregivers through Careblazers. https://go.careblazers.com/optin1707933494424