John Wallace Pettigrew

Mr. John Wallace Pettigrew, 82, of Columbia Road, Edgefield, S.C., husband of Carolyn Way Pettigrew, died Wednesday, January 14, 2009 at University Hospital.

Funeral Services will be held Sunday, January 18, 2009 at 2 P.M. at Edgefield First Baptist Church with burial in Eastview Cemetery.

Mr. Pettigrew, son of the late Samuel Grady and Lucille Reel Pettigrew, was born in Edgefield County. He was a member of the Edgefield First Baptist Church. He was a 1949 graduate of Clemson College. Mr. Pettigrew was a WW II Army Air Force Veteran and a member and former Commander of the American Legion Hezzie Griffis Post # 30 with over 60 years of membership. In 1946, he drove J. Strom Thurmond throughout the state of South Carolina in his successful campaign for governor.
He was Sales Manager at Pendarvis Chevrolet - Oldsmobile in Edgefield for over 50 years.

In 1985, 1986, 1987, and 1988 he was the number one Oldsmobile salesman in the nation. Throughout most of his sales career, he was a member of Chevrolet Legion of Leaders and Truck Hall of Fame. His loyal customers spanned several generations and came from throughout South Carolina and Georgia.

He was elected to serve on the Edgefield Town Council in 1962 and served continuously until 1987.

During his tenure, he served numerous terms as Mayor Pro-Tem and as interim Mayor.

Survivors include his wife, Carolyn, 1 Son - John Wallace (Mary Allison) Pettigrew, Jr., Edgefield, S.C., 2 Daughters - Julia Pettigrew (Bobby) Hall, Spartanburg, S.C. and Susan Caroline Pettigrew, La Jolla, California. 4 Granddaughters - Carolyn Hall, Rebecca Hall, Carolina Brooks Pettigrew and Amelia Pettigrew. 2 Sisters - Margaret Robertson, Denmark, S.C. and Jewell Burckhalter, Aiken, S.C.
Memorials may be made to American Legion Post # 30, P.O. Box 236 Edgefield, S.C. 29824.
The family will receive friends from 3 to 5 p.m. Saturday at Edgefield Mercantile Funeral Home.