Richard Petty’s wife dies (update)
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| Richard and Lynda Petty at Richard NASCAR Hall of Fame Induction in 2010 |
The following is a brief statement from the NASCAR Hall of Fame Executive Director Winston Kelley on the passing of Lynda Petty.
"On behalf of the entire NASCAR Hall of Fame team, I would like to offer our most sincere condolences to Richard, Kyle, Sharon, Lisa, Rebecca and the entire Petty family on the passing of Lynda Petty. Lynda was such an incredible person in so very many ways, far too numerous to count. In addition to being a devoted wife to Richard and an incredible mother and grandmother, she was a tireless worker for the causes that benefited others—such as helping start the Winston Cup Racing Wives Auxiliary, serving on as a member of the Randolph County School Board for 16 years and as chair for eight years and on numerous other boards and volunteer capacities. She always met everyone with her big smile and warm, welcoming personality and charm. Lynda will be dearly missed but her legacy and impact on so many will live on forever. "
Victory Junction's COO, Austin Petty, makes a statement on the passing of his grandmother, Lynda Petty:
"We have lost my grandmother, but my family and our Victory Junction family are grateful to have had her love and wisdom for so many years. It was no secret that she was the cornerstone of the Petty family; a woman of humility and extraordinary strength. While we mourn her death, we also celebrate her life and the profound impact she had on those who knew her. The pride she had in her children, her grandchildren and her great-grandchildren was shared with us through her unconditional love. Her strong example of leadership outside of her home was most recently acknowledged by the Association of Fundraising Professionals when she, along with my grandfather, was honored with the Lifetime Achievement in Philanthropy Award for her personal commitment to seriously ill children and to our American troops. We honor my grandmother's legacy of inspiration and enduring love at Victory Junction today and always."
03/25/14 Lynda Gayle Owens Petty, 72, one of the first women of NASCAR and its most beloved wife, mother and friend, passed away peacefully at her home in Level Cross, North Carolina today. She was surrounded by her family.
Affectionately known as "Mrs. Lynda" to so many, Lynda Petty set a standard for being a loving, supportive and, when needed, an authoritative wife and mother. She also set the benchmark for being a leader in her local community while raising a family in the fast-growing sport of stock car racing.
It was with strong will that Petty fought cancer over the past several years. It was the same determination that led her to make a difference as a Red Cross volunteer, a school volunteer, the president of the athletic booster club and a Girl and Boy Scout leader in her lifetime. She also served on the Randolph County School Board for 16 years and was on the board of the Randolph County Hospice.
Lynda helped start the Racing Wives Auxiliary and will always be remembered as the wife to Richard Petty. Their steadfast love endured trials that only a marriage of over 50 years can. Through triumph and heartache, Lynda Petty was the castle that supported a king in private and public moments.
Lynda is proceeded by grandson Adam K. Petty and is survived by her loving husband Richard; son, Kyle and daughters Sharon and husband Terry Farlow; Lisa and husband Charlie Luck; Rebecca and husband Brian Moffitt. In addition, she is survived by grandchildren Austin Petty and wife Sarah; Hannah and husband Brad Leonard; Montgomery and husband Randy Schlappi; Maggie and Kyle Farlow; Richard, Sarah and Margaret Luck; Helen, Thad and Harrison Moffitt, and great grandchildren Sullivan Mae Schlappi and Adam Christopher Stonewall Petty.
A private memorial service for family and friends will be held at Reverie Place in Randleman, North Carolina which Pastor Kenny Crosswhite will officiate. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the following:
Petty Family Foundation
311 Branson Mill Road
Randleman, N.C. 27317
A public memorial service will not be held and the family asks for privacy at this time.
The family offered the following statement to the public:
"We wish to sincerely thank everyone who has supported us and our family throughout the years and at this time. We will forever love and miss a wife, mother, grandmother, great grandmother and friend."