Shirley Mae Petty, 82, of Nashville, died Saturday, January 17, 2026, at Pruitt Health in Moultrie.

She was born February 24, 1943, in Starkville, MS to the late Emmett Gunter and the late Edrel Adean Cooper Gunter. She was a very gifted, talented, retired art teacher with the Berrien County Board of Education, member of Flat Creek Church and Berrien Retired Teachers. She was the widow of Johnny Lindell Petty who died in 2012 and was also preceded in death by 2 sisters: Bea Falks and Frances Reed.

She is survived by a step son: Tony Petty of Tilane, KY; 2 granddaughters: Brittany and Amanda; brother: Ernest (Nobie) Gunter of Tupelo, MS; nieces: Vickie LaPradd and Tammy Benefield; nephew: Rusty Coleman; many special friends.

A graveside funeral service will be Wednesday, January 21, 2026, at 11 AM in the Flat Creek cemetery with the Rev. Mark Swain officiating. Visitation is in the cemetery thirty minutes prior to the service.