Reverend Austin Pethel, 87

May 11, 2012

            Reverend Austin Pethel, age 87 of Gainesville, passed away on Friday, May 11, 2012 at his residence following an extended illness.

            Funeral services are scheduled for Sunday, May 13, 2012 at 3:00 pm at Pilgrim Baptist Church with interment to follow in Memorial Park Mausoleum.  Reverend Robert Nix, Reverend Larry Allison, Reverend Mark Hutchins and Reverend Clay Poole will officiate.  The family will receive friends on Saturday, May 12, 2012 from 2 – 4 pm and 6 – 9 pm at the funeral home

            Reverend Pethel was born January 17, 1925 in Gainesville, Georgia to the late John W. Pethel and Eva Burt Pethel.  He was a retired Baptist Minister and a member of Pilgrim Baptist Church.  Reverend Pethel was the pastor of many churches after being ordained in 1952, Mt. Zion, Mt. Sinai, Ridgeview, Shoal Creek, Woods Grove, Mt. Moriah, Mt. Pisgah and South Hall Baptist.  He was preceded in death by his parents, and 4 brothers and 2 sisters.

            Reverend Pethel is survived by his wife, Lessie C. Pethel of Gainesville, daughters, Pat & Scottye Sisk of Gainesville and Becky Keith of Kennesaw, son, Danny Pethel of Gainesville, grandchildren, Scott & Tonia Sisk, Stuart & Tabby Sisk, Stephen & Charlotte Sisk, Kelly & Larry Hardeman, Kacey & Reed Bell, Kevin & Joanna Pethel and Krista & Tommy Martin, 15 great-grandchildren, sisters, Virginia & Jimmy Lewallen and Penny Hix.

Memorial Park Funeral Home, 2030 Memorial Park Road, Gainesville, GA  30504 is in charge of arrangements.

Send online condolences to www.memorialparkfuneralhomes.com.