Naomi Virginia Petway

NAOMI VIRGINIA MONK PETWAY was born on August 11, 1943, in Camden, New Jersey. She departed this life on December 4, 2023. Naomi was the eldest daughter of Ruth J. Monk Holmes and loving father, Charlie Holmes. She was raised by her grandparents, Missionary Virgie V. Monk and Elder Louis H. Monk of Havre de Grace, Maryland. Naomi was married to Hiawatha Petway who passed in 1991; from this union one child was born; Cassandra Denise Petway Shearin (Sandy). She received her education at Havre de Grace Consolidated School and continued her education at Cortez W. Peters Business College, where she graduated in 1963. She also graduated from the Baltimore School of the Bible in 2006. She attended Stillman’s Business College in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania and the Community College of Baltimore (Harbor Campus) as well as Baltimore Institute of Business Training. Miss Na (her co-workers called her) worked for the State of Maryland for 38 years, primarily with the Maryland State Department of Education Headquarters. She was a devoted and hard worker in her department who spoke her mind when she felt things were right or when they were wrong (always in a professional manner and with respect). Sister Naomi was baptized in Jesus’ name at a very young age at Gospel Tabernacle Church under the leadership of Bishop C. H. Johnson. During a church transition her membership was moved to Zion Temple Church under the leadership of Pastor C. V. Croxsell, where her grandfather was the assistance pastor and where she received the gift of the Holy Ghost with the evidence of speaking in tongues. Upon moving to Baltimore, Maryland, she was a faithful member of Highway Christian Church of Apostolic Faith, First United Church of Jesus Christ Apostolic (now known as Transformation Ministries of Jesus Christ), Greater Saint Stephens Church of God Apostolic. Missionary Petway also served as president of the Missionary Department at Armour of God Church Apostolic working with Pastor James Leach. Mother Petway fellowshipped with United Church of Jesus Christ, Inc., Bishop James B. Thornton. Obituary Mother Petway wanted to learn as much as she could in life and find her responsibility in The Will of God; especially how to rightly and properly explain this hope of salvation and Sanctification that lay within her. She leaves to cherish her memory: her daughter, Cassandra (Sandy); granddaughter, Charmaine (Peanut); grandson, Gerwin Jr. (Little “G”); two great-grandsons, Lorenzo and Lionel Espurvoa; granddaughter-in law, Christina Shearin; grandson-in-law, Jordan; four goddaughters,Debra D. Moore McLaughlin of Silver Spring, MD, Tina Hawkins, Adriane Thomas and May Wood (deceased) in Columbia, MD; godson, Jermaine, great-godsons, Jermaine II and Christopher Hawkins; six sisters, Mary Collins, Gates, NC, Lillian Whittington, Eads, TN, Charlotte Holmes, Havre de Grace, MD, Delores Robinson, Aberdeen, MD, Sandra Minter, Baltimore, MD and Ramona Holmes, Aberdeen, MD; brother, Charles N. Holmes, Baltimore, MD; a special mother, Norma Fickner; two brothers in-law, Willie Robinson, Aberdeen, MD and Melvin Collins Gates, NC; as well as saints and friends, and a host of cousins, nieces and nephews.

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Naomi Virginia Petway

August 11, 1943 - December 4, 2023