MR. CHRISTMAS COLUMBUS PETTIFORD, JR.

Obituary For MR. CHRISTMAS COLUMBUS PETTIFORD, JR.

Christmas Columbus Pettiford, Jr. peacefully departed this earthly life embraced by the grace of God on on Monday, May 11, 2026. A devoted husband, loving father and grandfather, faithful servant, veteran, storyteller, and friend, his life was a testimony of perseverance, faith, humility, and unwavering love for family.

Born in Durham, North Carolina on February 27, 1945, in the historic Hayti district, Christmas (also known as "Chris" and "June") was the beloved son of the late Virginia Cates Pettiford Gibbs and Christmas C. Pettiford, Sr. During his early years, he also spent time sharecropping in Roxboro, North Carolina, experiences that helped shape his strong work ethic and resilient spirit.

His family eventually relocated to Greensboro, North Carolina where they left the occupation of farming and began working in various other industries. He attended and graduated from James B. Dudley High School, where he developed lifelong friendships and interests that stayed with him throughout his life. As a young man, he enjoyed amateur boxing at the YMCA and spent periods of his early adulthood living in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania and Wildwood, New Jersey before eventually returning to and settling in Greensboro, North Carolina, where he worked as a mechanic by trade.

Answering the call to serve his country, Christmas honorably served two tours in Vietnam and received numerous medals and commendations for his dedicated military service in the United States Army. During his service, he became a medic so that he would not have to carry a weapon, reflecting his ever-present compassion and conviction. He later continued his commitment to service through 24 years in the Army National Guard. Simultaneous to his military career, he faithfully served for 28 years with the United States Postal Service and made history by integrating the Darlington, South Carolina post office as its first Black mail carrier. He retired from the post office in Bennettsville, South Carolina.

A man of deep and abiding faith, Christmas loved the Lord and devoted much of his life to Christian service. As a young adult, he became a member of the Prayer Band at Faith, Hope, and Charity Holiness Church in Greensboro, North Carolina. It was there that he met the love of his life, Johnie, whom he would later marry. He subsequently became a member of Reid’s Memorial CME church in Greensboro. After relocating to Anson County, he joined Galilee AME Church in McFarland, North Carolina, where he faithfully served on the Trustee Board and the Laymen’s League. He became a proud member of the Masonic Lodge, and later in life also received his Ministry License.

Christmas possessed a lifelong love for learning and history. He avidly read the Bible, U.S. History, and World History books and could often be found carefully taking notes or captivating others with stories filled with wisdom, humor, and detail. He especially loved spending time in the aisles of Books-A-Million reading newspapers and periodicals, and he never missed enjoying the Sunday paper.

Though he never met a stranger, he was also fiercely private, cherishing most deeply the time spent with his immediate family. He loved music of all kinds, especially gospel groups like Doc McKenzie, The Dixie Hummingbirds and The Mighty Clouds of Joy. He also enjoyed jazz, soul, and beach music, wrote music of his own, and even dabbled in playing the guitar.

Christmas found joy in simple pleasures and treasured traditions. He loved movies- especially westerns, martial arts, action films, and particularly James Bond- and enjoyed watching NASCAR races and NFL football, faithfully looking forward to Super Bowl Sundays each year while proudly cheering for the Dallas Cowboys. He was also a devoted fan of the North Carolina Tar Heels and beamed with pride over his oldest daughter’s accomplishments as a UNC alumna.

Education remained important to him throughout his life. In 2016, at the age of 71, Christmas proudly graduated from Richmond Community College with an Associate Degree in History. During commencement exercises, he was recognized as the oldest graduate present that year- an achievement that reflected his enduring determination and love of learning.

After retirement, Christmas especially cherished traveling to Greensboro to visit his youngest daughter Devin while she attended the University of North Carolina at Greensboro. During those trips to Greensboro to visit Devin, he always also visited and spent time with his Mother, prior to her passing. Subsequently, he continued spending time in Greensboro with his beloved sister Cleva (whom he affectionately referred to as "Meat" and "Odesta"). He enjoyed meals and watching NFL games with her and her fiancé, Tony. He also treasured visits with his daughter Vonette and his grandchildren, and countless holidays spent with Johnie, Devin and the immediate family who brought much joy to his life. His son-in-love Tony held an incredibly precious place in his heart. They attended gospel programs together, and he was well known for surprise appearances at Evangel Fellowship in Greensboro to hear Tony play guitar and attend worship services with his family. Christmas and Tony also shared numerous priceless moments together.

He loved the beach- especially trips to Virginia Beach and Myrtle Beach- and enjoyed traveling whenever he could. No matter the destination, he would often say, “Alright, I’m going up the road. I’ll be back.” Family knew that “up the road” could mean Greensboro, Fayetteville, Myrtle Beach, Savannah, or Atlanta- and that he would likely return much later than expected, always with another story to tell.

A skilled mechanic throughout his life, Christmas continued tinkering with cars after retirement and became quite the shade-tree mechanic for his own vehicles. He enjoyed celebrating birthdays and family moments at favorite restaurants including Cracker Barrel, Longhorn Steakhouse, Olive Garden, and Red Lobster.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his brother, Harvey Edward Pettiford; brothers-in-law Carl Tillman, David Watson, Presley Melton, and Nelson Anderson; and sisters-in-law Vernell Lee Stephens and Frances Watson.

He leaves to cherish his loving memory his wife, Johnie Gibson Watson Pettiford; daughters, Devin Pettiford of the home and Vonette (Tony) of Franklinton, North Carolina; beloved grandchildren Victoria, Benjamin Dean, Ava, and Toni Joy; sister Cleva Pettiford Pennix (fiancé Tony) of Greensboro; special niece Monica Pettiford-Chavis (Alan) of Charlotte, North Carolina; special great-niece Camille Ife’ of the United Kingdom, London; special sisters-in-law Barbara Pettiford and Fronnie Glenn; sisters-in-law Mary Charles Anderson, Lucille P. Melton, Ursell Evans, and Gladys Jones; along with a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, extended family, and dear friends.

Christmas Columbus Pettiford, Jr. lived a life marked by service, faith, wisdom, quiet strength, and deep love for his family. His legacy will continue to live on in the hearts of all who knew and loved him.

Christmas has now traveled up the "Eternal" Road. We are grateful to know that he now rests in Paradise and when we meet him again, we are certain that there will be another story to be told.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to the Veterans Ministry Fund at Friendship Chapel Baptist Church using the link below:

https://www.friendship-chapel.org/give

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