IRVINGTON—Lawrence Richard “Larry” Pettey, 87, went to be with the Lord, surrounded by his loving wife and family on August 31, 2026.
He was born on December 9, 1938, in Biddeford, Maine, to Laurence Franklin and Lucinda Iona Pettey. Larry and his family moved to Virginia in 1957, where he remained in Virginia living with his half-sister to finish high school education. He attended Richmond Polytechnic Institute (now VCU) where he gained a bachelor’s in civil engineering. While in college, he worked part-time for Miller & Rhoads Department Store.
After graduation he went to work for the Virginia State Highway Department in Richmond. Brother Larry met and married his first wife, Mary Flagg Gentry on June 23, 1963. They had two children, Michelle Rene Pettey and Troy Lamar Pettey.
After leaving the Virginia State Highway Department, Larry went to work for Henrico County in their utility department. He retired from the utility department in 1992 and took a consultant’s job with Acadia, working in Caroline and Spotsylvania counties. The company downsized so Larry began working for Lancaster County as a school bus and car driver.
Larry met Bonnie Turlington Cockrell and they were married on July 10, 1982. Larry and Bonnie moved to her homeplace in Irvington in July 1989.
Larry became a Mason in Lancaster Union Lodge No. 88, AF& AM in April 1993 and joined King Carter Chapter No. 5, Order of the Eastern Star on October 4, 1993. He became active members in both lodges earning the title of Right Worshipful Lawrence R. Pettey.
Larry was an active member of Bon Air United Methodist Church in Richmond in his earlier years. He later joined Good Shepherd United Methodist Church where he and Bonnie were married. When the couple moved to Irvington, Larry became a member of Irvington United Methodist Church.
Larry is preceded in death by his parents, Laurence and Lucinda Pettey; his half-sister, Shirley Donahue; his sister, Sandra Lee Desper; and grandson, Terrence Michael Pettey.
Larry is survived by his wife, Bonnie Turlington Pettey; his first wife, Mary P. Jordan; daughter, Michelle Renee Pettey; and son, Troy Lamar Pettey; stepsons, Thomas Dale and David Thomas Cockrell; and stepdaughter, Dawn R. Cockrell; nieces and nephews, Michael and Mark Pettey, Warren and David Desper, John and Jeffrey Donahue, Debbie Desper New and Kathy Cribner; and many grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
Masonic service and funeral services will be held at 2 p.m. on Saturday, September 5, at Irvington United Methodist Church in Irvington. Visitation will be held one hour prior to the service.
In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to Irvington United Methodist Church or the Shriner’s Hospital for Children. Pallbearers will be the Masons from Lancaster Union Lodge No. 88, AF&AM.
