Vera E. "Sister" Watson Pettis, 75, of S. 13th St., Harrisburg, peacefully transitioned into eternal life after a brief illness on Thursday, January 3, 2019 at UPMC Pinnacle Community Osteopathic Hospital. She was born in Harrisburg, daughter of the late, Rudolph, Sr. and Selena B. (Williams) Watson; educated in the Harrisburg School District and was trained as a Cardiac Technician at the Harrisburg Hospital from where she retired with 36 years of service. Sister was a devoted wife and loving mother, grandmother and big sister, loved to cook, entertain family & friends and provide meals for the elderly. In her leisure, she also enjoyed going to the racetrack with her husband and listening to gospel music. She was the widow of Julian Gilbert "Gibby" Pettis and in addition to him and her parents, was preceded in death by her sister, Sharon. Vera leaves to celebrate her life, her loving son, Sterling E. Pettis; her loving daughter, Stacy D. Pettis; her granddaughter, Alexis K. Pettis; her siblings, Rudolph Watson, Jr. (Carita) of Aurora, CO; Sheila Berry, Christine Watson (fianc, James Fritz, Esquire), Wanda Watson, Reverend Avis Corbin of Odeton, MD; Kenneth Watson (Wanda) and Ronald Watson; her uncles, Mark "Tony" and Richard W. Davenport; her aunt, Collette Davenport and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, in-laws and friends. Vera's life will be celebrated on Thursday, January 10, 2019 at 10:30 a.m. in the Sanctuary of The First Baptist Church of Steelton, 1850 S. 19th St., Harrisburg with visitation 9:30 until 10:30 a.m. and burial in Indiantown Gap National Cemetery. Arrangements entrusted to the Ministry of Comfort of Major H. Winfield Funeral Home