Shonda M. Pettaway Of Southampton Dies April 17

Shonda M. Pettaway
Shonda Marie Hopson Pettaway of Southampton died on April 17, just two days shy of her 50th birthday, at Southampton Hospital. She was 49.

Born on April 19, 1963 in Southampton to Rita Hayes and Robert A. Hopson Sr., she was raised by her grandparents, Lucille and Rufus Hopson, who she called called Ma and Daddy.

She was baptized at the First Baptist Church of Bridgehampton and sang in the youth choir. In 1981, she graduated from Bridgehampton School and she married Roggie Eugene Pettaway on June 30, 1984.

She spent some time in Germany when her husband was stationed there with the U.S. Army.

After returning to the United States, she worked at Sag Harbor Industries and, in December 1998, she started work with Aid to the Developmentally Disabled. She began as a direct support professional and was later promoted to assistant resident manager, a position she kept until her health failed, forcing her to retire in December 2012. She will be remembered as a caring and loving person to all the residents she served.

Ms. Pettaway enjoyed planning and attending family events and was particularly supportive of her husband’s musical endeavors. Survivors said she will be remembered for her caring spirit, warm smile and commanding presence.

She was predeceased by her father, Robert Hopson Sr.; her paternal grandparents, Rufus and Lucille Hopson; her maternal grandparents, Jenny Jones and step-grandfather Randolf Jones; and two brothers, Tommy Hopson Sr. and Melvin Hopson.

She is survived by her husband, Roggie; three sons, Treva and wife Chanelle, Tramar and Travon; a daughter, Porsha Pettaway; a grandson, Taylen; her mother, Rita Hayes-Barnard; her mother-in-law, Alive Pettaway; her father-in-law, Winson Pettaway Jr. and his wife Barbara; her stepmother, Jerlean Hopson; her stepfather, Sisco Barnard; seven brothers, Darryl Jones, Terry Jones, Robert Hopson Jr. and wife Stacy, Rufus Hopson Jr. and wife Beverly, Norman Hopson and wife Cheryl, Michael Hopson and Ricky Hopson; eight sisters, Tara Braunskill and husband Kyle, Nina Swinton and husband Edward, Gloria Oliver, Brenda Pinckney and husband William, Diana McDole and husband Jerry, Linda Hopson, Joanne Rhymer and husband Alvie, and Annette Hopson. She is also survived by five brothers-in-law; four sisters-in-law; a goddaughter, Takecia Mims; and a number of aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.

A funeral service took place at the First Baptist Church in Bridgehampton on Tuesday, April 23. Interment was at Edgewood Cemetery in Bridgehampton. Funeral arrangements were under the direction of the Brockett Funeral Home in Southampton. Memorial donations may be made to Lucia’s Angels, 10 Oak Street, Southampton, NY 11968.