Yvette Marie (Jenkins) Pettiford

Robert A. Waters Funeral Home

Obituaries | The Tube City Almanac | February 14, 2022

“Many are called, few are chosen” is an apt description of the passing of Yvette Marie (Jenkins) Pettiford of McKeesport, Pennsylvania on February 8, 2022, at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center’s (UPMC) McKeesport Hospital. Affectionately known as “Vettie”, “Ma Vette”, “Yvette Marie”, “Y-Vette”, and most appropriately, “Miss Yvette”. Chosen by God to be a forceful light while living, Yvette is now a chosen disciple in His Kingdom as evidenced by her last spoken words, “I am ready to go home to my Lord.”

Born on her late mother’s birthday July 6, 1941, in Monongahela, PA, her busy and fruitful life was spent in McKeesport living among her friends and many close and extended family members. Yvette attended Walnut Street Grade School, McKeesport Junior High School and was a 1959 graduate of McKeesport Senior High School.

Following graduation, she pursued a passion of hers by attending art school in Pittsburgh, PA. She married her ex - late husband, George Pettiford in 1961 and as a military wife, then briefly moved to Hawaii; returning to McKeesport in 1963 to raise her blossoming family. A true legend within her family, her community and places of employment, Yvette was an April 2021 Housekeeping Department Retiree of UPMC McKeesport, former Home Care Provider at Louisa Child Care and Housekeeper at UPMC’s Children’s Hospital.

Never one to mince words, you always knew where you stood with her.  Yet through those often-caustic exchanges, you always felt loved, as Yvette was steadfast in her convictions and in caring for others. As Mother, Grandmother, Godmother, Sister, Sister-in-law, Aunt, Neighbor, Coworker and Friend, her seen and unseen acts of compassion and kindness are primary traits of the legendary status she achieved. Yvette loved her job, at UPMC and was so admired by her coworkers that she received a commendation from the hospital for her commitment to best practices and 40 years of dedicated service.

Having been baptized as a child she maintained a longtime membership at Bethlehem Baptist Church in McKeesport. Although she respected and loved many of the church’s ministers, none would ever take the place of her childhood and lifelong friend, current Pastor, Rev. Earlene Coleman. At the church she often shared her culinary and organizational skills which led to her longtime volunteer position as Director of the Culinary Ministry. Through this work she got to showcase her self-taught skills and dishes with none being more famous than her macaroni and cheese.

Yvette was preceded in death by her loving parents Mary Magdalene (Taylor) Jenkins and Roy Franklin Jenkins Sr. and cherished Brother David Morris Jenkins. Yvette leaves to honor and cherish her memory, daughter Dawn La Roi (Walter) Brown of McKeesport; son, Corey Orlando Pettiford of McKeesport; son, Eric Anthony (Caroline Aguilar) Pettiford of Glen Campbell; brother, Roy Franklin (Norine) Jenkins Jr. of White Oak; sister Lois Jean (Eric) Leggett of McKeesport;  brother, Kevin Lee (Tina Paletta) Jenkins of Sewickley; and, sister-in-law,  Patricia (Powell) Jenkins of Jefferson Hills; Six (6) Grandchildren: Jaquaya Daniels, Eric (E.J.) Pettiford, Erica King, Janece Pettiford, Courtney Smith, and Cierra Pettiford; Six (6) Greatgrandchildren: Jailynn Walker, Justice Daniels, Joss Daniels, Cameron King, Carlie King and Ciara King;  Three (3)  Godchildren: Claude Sims, Zyaeja Warren, and Ryan Gambrill; and her Grand-dog “Onyx Prince Pettiford I” her faithful friend and companion.

Arrangements are being handled by the Robert A. Waters Funeral Home, 2326 Jenny Lind Street McKeesport, PA 15132. Visitation will be Monday, February 14, 2022, from 4 - 8 PM at the Bethlehem Baptist Church, 716 Walnut Street McKeesport PA where Funeral Services will be held on Tuesday, February 15, 2022, at 11 AM.  Interment will be at the McKeesport & Versailles Cemetery Fifth Avenue, McKeesport immediately following the service.
The family requests COVID protocols be strictly followed.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Yvette, please visit our floral store.

Originally published February 14, 2022.

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