Floy Ann Pettit

Floy Ann Pettit, 79, Hill City, passed away Friday, August 4, 2023.

Floy Ann Lay was born on October 22, 1943, to Ninuel Blevins and Helen Lola (Newman) Lay in Fallbrook, Calif.

Her faith in Christ helped her through life’s ups and downs. Floy Ann married Larry J. Holbrook in 1960, and they were blessed with three daughters: Laura, Diane, and Katy. In 1969, Floy Ann and Buster McKnight were blessed with a daughter whom she gave her mother’s middle name, Lola.

In 1972, Floy Ann married Joseph Dale Pettit. Their first home was in Beaumont, Calif., until they purchased property in Yucca Valley, Calif. They built their home, one board at a time, and spent nearly 50 years there until her husband’s passing. Between them, they had nine children.

Floy Ann worked as a Nurse Aide in Yucca Valley. She also worked with her husband, painting and doing home repairs. Her hobbies included watercolor painting, sewing, and creating costumes for her husband to wear when he played guitar and sang at schools and libraries. Floy Ann also enjoyed cooking—she grilled the world’s best BBQ ribs! But her greatest joy came from just being a mom.

There was never a time you would leave her home hungry. If she knew of someone needing anything—from a shoulder to cry on to a good laugh—she was always there for them. Floy Ann had a green thumb and could grow anything. She loved living in the high desert and enjoyed the plants and wildlife native to that area.

After her husband passed away, she moved to Stockton, Kansas, to be close to most of her children who call the state home. Eventually, she moved to Dawson Place in Hill City, Kansas.

She is survived by her four daughters, Laura (Rick) Murray of LaCrosse, Kate (Darin) Terry of Woodston, Diane Holbrook of Woodston, and Lola (William) Reese of Caldwell, Idaho; stepdaughters, Rachael Pettit, Becky Pettit, and Dalene Pettit; 12 grandchildren, Daniel Murray, Kim Blunt, Travis Reese, Chris (Jenny) Murray, Kelly (Dave) Stephen, Christina Hays, David (Tera) Murray, Damon Eberle, Dusty Terry, Markus McKnight, Jason Eberle, and Matthew (Chelsea) Terry; 34 great-grandchildren; brothers, Ninuel Lay and Wayne Lay; sister, Collene Holleman; as well as an uncountable number of nieces, nephews, and other family members and friends she loved with all of her heart.

Preceding her in death include her husband; parents; granddaughter, Chevelle (Terry) Bode; nephews, Glen Walsh and Junior Lay; niece, Angelia Leighanne Lewis; stepson, Michael D Pettit; stepdaughter, Marsha Denise (Pettit) Pharris; 3 brothers, Earnest Lay, Troy Lay, and Coy Lay; and three sisters, Mary Rocca, Lois Clark, and Loy Walsh.

Floy Ann will rest next to her husband on Wednesday, August 23, 2023, at 10:00 a.m., at the Stockton City Cemetery with a Graveside Service.