He was educated int he Newberry County School System and graduated from Gallman High School in 1959. He attended Benedict College in Columbia, graduated in 1963, earning a B.S. degree in history.
John served two years in the military (Army) and received and honorable discharge. He taught at J.D. Dickerson High School in Vidalia, Ga. (1965-1970), taught in Dublin, Ga. (1970-1972). Upon leaving Georgia, he moved to Washington, D.C. He taught in the District for several years.
He was employed by the United States Postal Service as a mail carrier. He remained in this position for 25 years. John retired from the postal service in 1999.
John accepted our Lord and savior Jesus Christ at a very young age. He was baptized at Bethlehem Baptist Church by the late Rev. J.R. Ezzell.
John relocated to Newberry from Washington, D.C. in 2003. He was an active member of the Gallman High School reunion committee.
John had one daughter, Beverly Reneece Deas, who preceded him in death in 2004.
He leaves to cherish his memory, a devoted wife of 19 years (Joann) of the home; stepdaughters, Tina Adams and Janet (Moses) Powell; stepsons, Bobby Adams of Washington, D.C. and Daniel Powell of Newberry; two brothers, Willie Earl Smith of Keasbey, N.J. and Curtis H. Pettis Sr. of Matawan, N.J.; one uncle, Billy (Yvonne) Smith and two aunts, Laura Smith and Emma McCree, all of Chester; two nephews of Washington, D.C.; four nieces and three nephews of New Jersey; one nephew of Florida; six very dear cousins, Mr. and Mrs. John E. Caldwell, Mr. and Mrs. Zebedee Goudelock of Newberry and Mr. and Mrs. Joe E. Brown of Columbia; eight stepgrandchildren; a host of great-nieces and nephews and a multitude of loving friends.
Funeral services will be conducted at 1 p.m. Tuesday at Bethlehem Baptist Church and burial in Werts Cemetery. Arrangements are under the direction of Wilson Funeral Home in Newberry.
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