Christine Jean Petty's Obituary
A telegram wired to the U.S.S. Philippine at sea announcing Christine (Chris) Jean Haines’ birth to her father read, “MAY 1, 1947. MSG NEWPORT RI MAY 1 JESSE M HAINES DAUGHTER BORN 655AM LOIS AND BABY ARE FINE.” Chris was born to Jesse Marshall Haines and Lois Genevieve Riser on May 1,1947 in Newport, Rhode Island. Her dad wanted to name her Jeannie but since he was deployed (serving in the Navy) her mom named her and gave her Jean as a middle name. Her brother, John Marshall Haines, joined their family two years later. Being a Navy brat, Chris grew up in coastal towns in Virginia and Florida. As a child she was a Girl Scout and member of the 4H Club. From the time Chris was a little girl, she was taught there was a God who loved her and answered her prayers. She was a faithful Catholic and attended weekly Mass and observed special holy days. After high school graduation, she attended Old Dominion College where she received a Bachelor’s of Science in Education. She then taught school for two years while working as a tutor on the side.
Chris married Jerry Dan Nunn in the Catholic Church on April 6, 1968. They had six children together, and many wonderful years. In 1973, after the death of their infant son, Joshua Scott Nunn, Chris found many of her faith questions unanswered. The gospel of Jesus Christ as presented by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints gave her peace. Chris was baptized into The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints on September 28, 1973. She found joy with the understanding of eternal life and Heavenly Father’s plan for her family.
After the death of Jerry on April 19, 1984, Chris found love again with Bruce Bradford Petty. Chris and Bruce were married on August 3, 1984, and Chris welcomed his eight children into her loving fold. Chris and Bruce were some of the pioneers of the Garland 4th Ward (a church congregation) where she made many lifelong friends.
When her youngest was in high school, Chris decided to enroll at Texas A&M Commerce for a Counseling degree. She graduated in 1996 having earned her Master’s of Science; she worked as a psychotherapist for several years following. She also worked at Old Faithful Fountains alongside her husband as his office manager.
During retirement, her ministry continued. Chris spent her entire life serving her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, as well as her friends and family. She was eternally focused on how she could serve; if you knew her, you would know this was a full-time job for her, often serving from sun up to sun down. In addition to her weekly church ministering, she served in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints as a missionary for the Dallas Texas Temple, Family History Extraction, Family Social Services, Addiction Recovery, Bishop’s Storehouse, and the Polynesian Culture Center in Hawaii.
Chris once wrote in her journal, “I love the Lord, and I will always be in His debt for His bounteous, unending blessings and tender mercies that He so lovingly bestows upon me and mine.”
Chris made friends wherever she went and kept up with many of them for life. She loved her book club, Empty Nesters club, Dementia support group, and lunch bunch. She also loved playing games, especially cards— her children knew how to play Canasta before they knew how to play Go Fish.
Chris returned to her Heavenly family on December 27, 2024. Chris was preceded in death by her husband Jerry Nunn, her son Joshua Nunn, her son-in-law Daniel Nogales.
Chris is survived by her husband Bruce Petty; children Kelly (Justin) Terracio, Michael (Baranie) Nunn, Ginger (David) Upshaw, Jon (Celina) Nunn, Amy (Bryan) Hamilton, Jon (Nichole) Petty, Christine Garcia, Alisa (Tom) Giles, Juli (Tal) Ehlers, Robyn Nogales, Janise (Jason) Sherwin, Emily Petty, and Jared (Dawn) Petty; brother John Haines; 54 grandchildren; and 33 great-grandchildren with more on the way who will continue to honor her legacy of faith and service. Chris was a beloved mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, wife, sister, and friend known for her kindness, generosity, sense of humor, and faith. Her motto was “as for me and my house we will serve the Lord.”
A memorial service will be held on Thursday, January 2, 2025 at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 11000 Eldorado Parkway, Frisco, TX. Visitation will begin at 10:00 a.m. with a memorial service at 11:30 a.m. Graveside services will take place at a later date.
Flowers may be sent to Restland Funeral Home in Dallas, Texas or donations may be made to the American Red Cross or Alzheimer’s Association.
To join the service please click the link provided: https://zoom.us/j/97861271487?pwd=2NUPYH1kcKfQUdl0CAFrJoVEAlcVfJ.1
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