The Kentucky birth index lists Minford Petitt, born 30 Dec 1927 in Rowan Co., mother’s maiden name Florance Hall.

I don’t know where the December came from; he was really born in July.

He was born as Medford Petitt, but when he enlisted in the Army, they misspelled his name, and he couldn't get his college tuition paid via the G.I. Bill if he enrolled under a different spelling. The Army said it would take 3 months to correct his record, and he didn't want to miss a semester of college, so he decided that it was easier to change his name than to change the army. Ironically, by doing so he was returning to the original spelling, as it was his grandfather Jesse who first starting using the spelling "Petitt".

Occupation: Highway Engineer. B.S. in Civil Engineering, 1954 Tri-State College of Engineering, Angola, Indiana

His obituary on the funeral home web site reported:

“Medford Pettit, 84, a resident of Deming, NM entered eternal rest on Tuesday, November 15, 2011 at Mountain View Hospital in Las Cruces, NM.

Medford was born on July 30, 1927 in Morehead, Kentucky to Truby Petitt and Florence Hall. Medford was a kind loving man that will be truly missed by family and friends. Medford enjoyed golfing and fishing and was very involved with the Habitat for Humanity program.

He was survived by his loving wife of 58 years, Annabelle Pettit of Deming, NM; two sons, Jeffrey Pettit and his wife Desirae of Rio Rancho, NM and Brian Pettit of Las Cruces, NM; two daughters, Teri Pettit of Santa Cruz, CA and Patti Payne and her husband Kevin of Greeley, CO; eleven grandchildren and five great-grandchildren.

He is preceded in death by both of his parents; one brother, Ted Pettit and one grandson, Christopher Pettit. Visitations will be on Friday, November18, 2011 from 11: 30am-1pm at Terrazas Funeral Chapel. The funeral service will then take place at The First United Methodist Church with Pastor Ernie Vineyard officiating at 2pm. Concluding services will be with an interment at Mountain View cemetery.”

Her obituary in the Deming Headlight of Feb. 21, 2012, reported:

“Annabelle Lee "Ann" Pettit, 77, formerly of Deming, NM, died Monday, Feb 18, 2013 in Rio Rancho, NM.

Ann was born on Sep. 12, 1935 in Sidney, Kosciusko Co., Indiana, youngest daughter of Charles Valentine Grisso and Ople (Figert) Grisso. She married Medford "Med" Pettit on Dec 19, 1953, who preceded her in death on Nov. 15, 2011. Ann was a loving mother to her children and devoted wife. She was also a talented amateur artist and enjoyed oil painting, flower gardening, flower arrangement and her kitties.

Ann is survived by two sons, Jeff Pettit of Rio Rancho, NM; and Brian Pettit of Las Cruces, NM; two daughters, Teri Pettit of Santa Cruz, CA; and Patricia "Patti" Payne of Greeley, CO; daughter-in-law, Desirae Pettit of Rio Rancho; and son-in-law, Kevin Payne of Greeley, CO.

Also surviving are five sisters: Roxie Stahl, Mary Lu Pulley, Donna Logan, Charlene Gaylourd and Sally Williams; 10 grandchildren, including special grandson Josh Pettit, whom Ann and Med helped to raise, and six great-grandchildren.

Besides her parents and husband, she was also preceded in death by two brothers, Bob Grisso and Warren "Pete" Grisso; five sisters, Wahneta Fetheroff, Roseanne Martin, Evelyn Fawley, Opal "LaVonne" Guthrie and Bonnie Hoge; and one grandson, Chris Pettit.

Funeral service will be on Thursday, February 21, 2013 at 11 a.m., at First United Methodist Church, 1020 S. Granite St., in Deming, NM. Concluding services, with an interment, will then follow at Mountain View Cemetery.”

Ancestors of Annabelle Grisso, and descendents of those ancestors, are in my (Teri Pettit’s) Grisso-Figert database.

Wabash Co. Marriage License Bk 27, p. 230, license issued to Medford Pettit & Annabelle Lee Grisso on 18 Dec 1953, returned 19 Dec.