Nona John Petty

Nona John Harp Reno Petty, 81, passed away on August 10, 2009 in Abilene, Texas. She was born Nona John Harp on April 19, 1928 in Groesbeck, Texas to parents Andy Lee and Nina Elizabeth (Richardson) Harp. She grew up in Kirkland and Childress, Texas where she graduated from Childress High School. She attended Texas Tech and graduated with a Bachelors degree in Business, and Eastern New Mexico University and graduated with a Masters degree in Education. John worked for a time in the Texas Land Office in Austin, Texas and then worked in Amarillo. She married Carson Howard Reno, who worked for the Santa Fe Railroad, in October of 1953. They moved to Clovis, New Mexico in 1958 with their two children. She was widowed in 1961, leaving her with their four children ages one, two, three and four. John began her teaching career at Highland Elementary School, in Clovis, in 1967 and taught there until her retirement in 1988. In August of 1977, she married Arthur Wayne Petty (a barber at Petty's Barber Shop). She was widowed again in 1993. John was a member of the West 21st Street Church of Christ where she taught in the early childhood department and worked with Vacation Bible School. She loved to attend the Red River Family Encampment every year and it became her spiritual gift for her children. John was a loyal Wildcat fan, attending every football and basketball game whenever possible. In addition, she loved to play cards with her friends, going on travel tours and spending time with her family who affectionately called her Maui. John was preceded in death by her parents, husbands Carson Reno and Wayne Petty, and by her brother Andy Lee Harp, Jr. She is survived by three daughters, Jan Miller (Mark) of Abilene, Jill Whitlock (Chip) of Abilene, Jayne Irons (Bryan) of Shallowater, Texas and one son, Doug Reno (Anne) of Abilene; grandchildren Jace Miller, Lane Miller, and Katie Miller, Nichole Reno Kitchen (Paul), Bryson Reno, and Michael Reno (Michelle), Brooke Whitlock, Blaine Whitlock, and Bryce Whitlock, Ashley Irons Berryhill (Jason), and Sydney Irons; great-grandchildren Allison and Parker Kitchen; one nephew, John Harp (Sandy) and one niece, Lee Ann Davis (Archie). In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Hospice of the Big Country (4601 Hartford St, Abilene, TX 79605), Christian Homes of Abilene (1202 Estates Dr., Abilene, TX 79602), Zambia Mission Fund (658 E. N. 21st, Abilene, TX 79601) and Red River Family Encampment (P.O. Box 8997, Amarillo, TX 79114-8997). The family would like to thank all of those who helped with Maui's care, with special thanks going to Hospice of the Big Country. A memorial service will be conducted at 2:00 p.m. Thursday, August 13, at West 21st Street Church of Christ in Clovis, New Mexico, with Ron Johnson officiating. Graveside services for the family will be at 1:00 p.m. Friday in Childress Cemetery in Childress, Texas, officiated by Robert Carter. Local arrangements are being made by The Hamil Family Funeral Home, 6449 Buffalo Gap Road in Abilene.