Annie E. Pettway facts for kids

Annie E. Pettway (1904–1972) was a talented American artist. She was known for her beautiful quilts and was part of the famous Gee's Bend quilting group. Her amazing artwork has been shown in big museums like the Museum of Fine Arts, Houston and the Philadelphia Museum of Art.

Annie's Early Life

Annie E. Pettway was born on June 18, 1904. Her parents were Austin H. and Leetha Pettway. She was one of ten children in her family. This information comes from her son, Sheriff Willie Quill Pettway. He shared it in an interview with the Souls Grown Deep Foundation.

Annie married Ed O. Pettway. Her son explained that his father's original last name was Williams. However, people living on the "Pettway place" often changed their names to Pettway. This was a common practice at the time. So, when the census was taken, his name was recorded as Pettway.

Annie and Ed had a large family together. They had nine children: five boys and four girls. Her son remembered her as a very hardworking person. She was a "housewife and a fieldworker." This meant she did many different jobs to care for her family and help run their farm.

Her Work as a Quilter

Annie's son, Sheriff Pettway, shared how important quilting was to his mother. She made quilts because her family needed them. Quilts helped keep everyone warm and protected. Making quilts was a tradition she passed down. Her daughters and granddaughters learned this skill from her.