Sara (Anne) Harshbarger Pettit passed away in her home in Xenia on Monday, January 13, 2025. She was the daughter of J. Harold Harshbarger and Nell (Jones) Harshbarger and was born on May 10, 1931 in Charleston, West Virginia. She was raised in Milton, West Virginia and graduated as valedictorian of Milton High School in 1949. She attended both Muskingum College in Ohio and West Virginia University, where she graduated with a degree in Home Economics in 1953. She worked for Appalachian Power in Charleston and enjoyed a brief television career as the on air host of "What's Cookin" on WKNA in 1954. She married Gene Pettit in 1956 and was his constant companion for over 60 years until his death in 2017. They lived in West Virginia, Texas, Canada, Louisiana, and Pennsylvania and briefly in Seoul South Korea as Sara supported Gene's career. She worked/volunteered in several of the churches they belonged to as part of the Kitchen/Food ministries. They settled permanently in the Xenia area in 1983 and Sara has been a member of Xenia United ( Memorial ) Presbyterian Church since that time. Her passions included cooking and sewing; she was a prolific quilter who blessed her family and friends with many cherished quilts and other fine needlework.

The surviving family members are son John Pettit ( Denise ) and granddaughters Allison Pettit and Dr. Andrea Pettit; son Steven Pettit ( Cynthia ), grandson Brian ( Christina ) with great-grandsons Baker and Chase, with granddaughter Cara Cloutier (Gregory) and great-granddaughter Madison; son Dr. Dennis Pettit (Kim), grandsons Michael and Dr. Matthew Pettit and granddaughter Maria Pettit. She was preceded in death by her parents and brother John Harshbarger Jr., all long time Xenia residents.

A celebration of life service will be held at Xenia United Presbyterian Church on March 8, 2025 at 11 am. The service will be followed by a luncheon for all attendees. Private burial will be held by the family in K of P Cemetery, Elizabeth, West Virginia. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to Xenia United Presbyterian Church, 343 W. Ankeney Mill Rd., Xenia, OH, 45385, or to Ohio's Hospice of Dayton, 324 Wilmington Ave., Dayton, OH, 45420, in her memory. Condolences may be made to the family at www.NeeldFuneralHome.com.