Ellen Thomas was born June 12, 1917 in Twiggs County, Georgia, near Jeffersonville. She was the youngest of fifteen children. Her parents were Noah and Sarah Faulk Thomas. Her father, Noah, was a farmer, cattle raiser and butcher by trade. Her mother Sarah, was a praying woman. She was a wonderful home-maker, a great friend to her children and a good Samaritan in the community where they lived. Ellen's childhood was fallen with joy and happiness. Her parents enrolled her in Old Marion Educational School, where her cousin was the school's principal. Ellen was a straight A student and believed what she was taught by her father, whose highest expectation was for Ellen to someday become a schoolteacher and principal. Ellen believed, as her father told her that she could accomplish anything that she set her mind to. Her father trained her at an early age to be a good sales person by counting money and making sales to the customers at the Town Stores where the products from the Thomas Farm were sold. These beginning life expectations taught her some valuable rules to live by: Always thinks for yourself." "Have confidence in yourself: "Get IT in your head." Never say I can't do it." and most importantly, "If at first you don't succeed, try and try again." The most chaotic time in her young life was after the death of her father. Ellen felt that all hope was gone, but because of her loving mother's assurance that God would take care of them and loved them, she picked up the broken pieces and moved on. Ellen attended Old Marion Baptist Church where her father was a deacon and the church clerk. Her mother was a deaconess. Ellen accepted Christ as her savior at age seven under the church's pastor, Rev. Judge Thomas. She enjoyed Sunday School, Baptist Young People's Union and attending church services. In 1934, Ellen married John Henry Pettigrew, Jr. They became the proud parents of two children, Hugh Parker and Annie Ruth Pettigrew. This marriage continued in bliss for 44 years. On January 10, 1937, Ellen was shown the way more perfectly (Acts 8:26B). She received the Holy Ghost and was called to the ministry. She received her training under the capable hands of Pastor, Elder Robert Fields, Church Mother Allen, and Mother Annie Pettigrew of The Church of God in Christ. She was also under the leadership of the renowned Bishop Riley F. Williams, who was State Overseer of Georgia, Alabama and Ohio. The honorable State Mother Dr. Lillian Brooks Coffey, was the Supervisor of Women's Department. She grew rapidly in her new faith. She became Sunday School and Y.P.W.W. Teacher and attended Prayer and Bible Band at her local church, Reeds Church of God In Christ. In 1942, the family moved to Cleveland. Ohio. There Ellen enrolled at John Adams and continued her education at John Hay High School. She attended Mary Beach School of The Bible from 1953-1954; Cleveland Bible College (presently Malone Bible College", in Canton, Ohio, and the Heckman School of Music she studied voice and piano. The Pettigrew family placed their membership with the Williams Temple Church of God In Christ (formerly Woodland Temple), 6812 Woodland Avenue, where the Bishop Riley F. Williams was pastor. It was there that Ellen met many beautiful saints, among them was Mother Callie Gould. Mother Gould adopted Ellen as her own daughter. She loved her, prayed for and with her, and taught her according to Titus 2:3-5; and many others. Mother Gould corrected and directed Ellen whenever and wherever needed, in love. Mother Gould will always be Mom. Ellen joined the Youth Choir, taught Sunday School, Y.P.W.W. Class, Bible Band, organized' the Young People Consecration Club, as was a member of the Rescue Band, which went out caring for the sick and the needy. She was also the Church Mother's Helper, Junior Church Mother and Kitchen Helper. Mother Pettigrew and her present pastor, Bishop Chapman have worked together for many years and often held parallel positions in the church. Ellen's work experience included working as a Nurse's Aide, University Hospital Hannah House; dry cleaning manager for D.O. Summers; and working on staff at Mount Sinai Hospital. It was under Bishop U. E. Miller (the successor of Bishop Riley Williams) and Mother Lola Young that Ellen became a Licensed Evangelist and was sent forth to conduct revivals in and out of the state. Many souls were drawn to Christ through this 'loving, God-fearing' servant. Her greatest joy in the church service. Mother Pettigrew's positions have included Public Relations Director of Women's Department, Ohio North; Co-editor of the Convention Souvenir Book; Co-chairperson of the Convention Program and Publication Committee; District Missionary of the Youngstown District; Co-chairperson of the State Women's Convention and District Fieldworker In 1966, the family moved their membership to St. Robert Temple Church of God in Christ (formerly East 116th Street), where Elder Robert L. Chapman was pastor. Sister Pettigrew instituted Noon Day Prayer, taught Sunday School, Y.P.W.W. Prayer and Bible Band, became Missionary Circle President, Church Mother and the founder and manager of the Church Mission Store, which distributed food and clothing to needy families known to the church. The Church became affiliated with the Ohio Northwest jurisdiction where the Honorable Bishop Mack E. Jonas was State Overseer. Bishop Jonas was the founder of the Church of God in Christ in the State of Ohio, and Mother Julia Linton was the State Supervisor of the Women's Department. Chairman Pettigrew encouraged them to organize the State Women's Convention and was appropriately appointed chairperson and hosted the First State Women's Convention in The Ohio Northwest jurisdiction. Sister Pettigrew was, at the time, District Missionary of the newly formed Buckeye District, and Elder Robert Chapman was the Superintendent. In 1969, after the death of Mother Linton, Bishop Mack E. Jonas appointed Mother Ellen Thomas Pettigrew, State Supervisor of Women's Work for Ohio Northwest Church of God in Christ. In 1970, she took her position as President of the State Women's Convention. The honorable Bishop Mack E. Jonas keynoted the Convention with the text, "And thou shalt have good success." Joshua 1:6-8), and blessed Mother Pettigrew. Under her leadership this department has grown and added new ideas, including: The Personal Work Team, and The Scholarship Fund, which is one of the most rewarding projects of Mother Pettigrew's. Helping people and seeing souls coming to Christ, is a great joy says Mother Pettigrew. Mother Pettigrew recently opened a Hunger Center at The St. Robert Temple Church of God in Christ, to feed the hungry and less fortunate. Mother Pettigrew uses her resources to spread God's love to those in homeless shelters as well as to families, which are made known to the church. She has helped to build three churches in her saved life, Reeds Church of God in Christ, Reeds, GA, Williams Temple Church of God in Christ, Cleveland, Ohio and St. Robert Temple Church of God In Christ where she continues to worship and work for The Lord serving as the Church Mother and President of the Mother's Board. This history cannot be told without remembering Mother Pettigrew's beloved husband, Deacon John H. Pettigrew, Jr., who always supported and encouraged her in The Lord's work. He was nicknamed, "Uncle Pett" and was known as The State Deacon. Her prayer is, "Order my steps in thy work and let not any iniquity have dominion over me. "Psalm 119:1.33. Her testimony is, "I love God more than anything or anybody including myself..", her faithfulness, the fruit of her labor of love, and her smile are a testament to that statement. In November 1997, Mother Pettigrew was appointed to the International Examination Board for State Supervisors by Mother Willie Mae Rivers.