Rev. Dr. Robert L. Pettis, Sr.

Today we celebrate the life of Reverend Dr. Robert Lee Pettis, Sr. who transitioned from this life to rest eternally in his heavenly home on Saturday, March 19, 2022. Dr. Pettis was born on December 2, 1954 in San Francisco to the late William and Vadie Pettis.

At the early age of three years of, Robert accepted the lord as his savior and was baptized. By the age of eight years old, he was certain that he had been called by God to preach. However, his pastor's wisdom prevailed, and he was not licensed to preach until he was sixteen. Robert Lee Pettis' career as a preacher of the Gospel was launched in 1971. Dr. Pettis was ordained in 1976.

Dr. Pettis attended public schools in California and graduated from Ravenwood High School in East Palo Alto, California. He continued his formal education at Biola College in LaMirda, California. He received his Bachelor of Arts degree in Religion and Philosophy from Bishop College in Dallas, Texas. While in Dallas Texas he joined Concord Baptist Church. Besides serving as Director of Evangelism for the Bishop College Ministers' Lyceum, he also served as Associate Minister, Sunday School Teacher, Teacher of Evangelism, and Youth Leader at Concord Baptist Church.

Dr. Pettis enrolled in the School of Theology at Virginia Union University in Richmond, Virginia, earning a Master of Divinity degree in May 1981. He served as the first youth pastor of the Baptist General Convention and was a part of the Baptist Ministers Conference.

On May 29, 1981, Dr. Pettis received the pastoral call to serve at Zion Baptist Church. As the spiritual leader for over 40 years, he made great emphasis on individual and group ministries, and offered many courses of training in the ministry. Discipleship, Evangelism, Children's Church, Outreach, L.O.G.O.S., Women's Bible Fellowship, Mid-Day Bible Study, Drama, Liturgical Dance, New Members Classes, Media, Newsletter, and the Maryland Taft Scholarship are among the ministries which have been established as a result of Pastor Pettis' vision.

Selected as one of the first candidates for the Doctor of Ministry program at Virginia Union University, Dr. Pettis was part of a historical academic endeavor. Dr. Pettis received his Doctor of Divinity degree, with an emphasis in church management, in May, 1993.

Continuously achieving and educating himself, he joined the Parliamentary Law Club of Richmond 2016. Dr. Pettis served at the President of the Parliamentary Law Club of Richmond 2019-2021. Also, he served as the Chaplin during the recent term.

He was a major fan of sports, but his major passion was baseball. He loved his San Francisco Giants baseball team and the San Francisco 49ers football team.

For 39 years Dr. Pettis and the former Palma L. Duncan of Richmond were united in marriage. They were blessed to have and to become the proud parents of Nichole Grace, Ashley Dionna, and Robert Lee, Jr.

Dr. Pettis has been a faithful servant, a compassionate and passionate preacher, teacher, author and loving husband and father.

Dr. Pettis leaves to cherish his memories with his loving and devoted wife, Palma D. Pettis; daughters, Nichole and Ashley Pettis; son, Robert Lee Pettis, Jr; sister, Crystal Pettis; sister-in-laws, Delfina Pettis and Shirley Sheppard; nephews, Will Pettis (Akiah) and Travis Terry (Wendy); niece, Pamela Pettis-Jones; and a host of other relatives and friends.

Family will receive friends Friday, March 25, 2022at Zion Baptist Church from 6:00pm-7:30PM.

A celebration of life will be Saturday, March 26, 2022 United Nations International 214 Cowardin Ave at 11:00am. Interment Maury Cemetery.

Below please find the LiveStream link for Funeral Service for Rev. Dr. Robert L. Pettis, Sr. on Saturday, March 26th.

https://livestream.com/accounts/9852681/events/9613390