Attorney Dorothy Pettus
Board Director

Attorney Pettus served the United States Federal Government for thirty-six (36) years. She started her tenure with the Food and Drug Administration and moved within several agencies such as the National Institutes of Health, ending her career as a paralegal for the United States Department of Justice’s Environmental Enforcement Section. 

Mrs. Pettus was born and received her early education in Salisbury, North Carolina and graduated from South Rowan High School. She relocated from the little, small town to the big city of Washington, DC at the age of twenty. She continued her post-secondary education and earned her Associates of Arts and Bachelor of Science Degrees in Paralegal studies. Because she believes in lifelong learning, she continued earning her Juris Doctorate Degree and a Certificate in Real Estate Law and a Diploma in Estates, Wills and Trusts. She is also a Notary Public, where in 1996 she started her business “Have Notary Will Travel.” 

Mrs. Pettus retired to care for her special needs’ infant grandson. In 2012, Mrs. Pettus began to volunteer several days during the school year at her grandson’s elementary school. As natural servant, she supported administrators, teachers, and other stuff where she was needed. She felt a call to support other special needs classrooms where she felt the need. During her time at school, she established a lunch account to be used when children were unable to pay for their breakfast or lunch, as she felt no child should not be afforded the opportunity for a decent and nutritious meal. She volunteered at the school until 2018, when her grandson was promoted to middle school. 

Mrs. Pettus is very active in her church. Mrs. Pettus is the wife of the love of her life, James Edward Pettus. Many who come into her presence also affectionately known her as Grandma and Ma Pettus. Her favorite Bible scriptures are Psalms 121 and Ecclesiastes 3:1-8.