Mrs. Blanche W. Pettiford, child of Phelix Whetzel Wallace and Josephine Allen Wallace, was born in Sturgis, Michigan on August 27, 1915. Mrs. Pettiford attended Fremont public schools and graduated from Fremont Ross High School in 1933. Upon graduation Mrs. Pettiford moved to Mansfield, Ohio to work with her sister. In 1936 she married Charlie Newby and moved to Cleveland, Ohio; then moving to Baltimore in 1944 where she attended the Cortez Peters Business School, graduating in 1946. In 1947 Mrs. Pettiford married her high school sweetheart Robert Pettiford, a military man. She and her husband traveled extensively during his military career, with Mrs. Pettiford holding secretarial positions on a number of military bases in Germany and on the west coast completing their service at Fort Dix, New Jersey in 1963. The Pettifords moved to Baltimore, and Mrs. Pettiford took an office administrator position at Social Security, Robert passed away in 1972. Upon retirement form Social Security in 1979 Mrs. Pettiford remained very active, holding many important positions in the local community association. She was a Class Leader, former Trustee, a member of the Lay Organization and the Daughters of Allen at Trinity A.M.E. Church. Mrs. Pettiford was also a dedicated member and Past President of the Iota Phi Lambda Sorority. Blanche W. Pettiford departed this life on Monday, September 8, 2008. Keeping her memory alive are; her sister, Frances W. Lucas; nsphews Russell A. Lucas, Jr, Raymond W. Lucas and Tyrone E. Offer; nieces Cheryl D. Lucas and Lisa G. Cooper-Lucas; great-nieces, Jourdan A. Lucas and Jessica L. Lucas, great-nephews, Ryan A. Lucas and Perry A. Lucas; other relatives and friends.