Alexander “Reggie” Pettiway

Portrait of Alexander “Reggie” Pettiway

Alexander Reginald “Reggie” Pettiway was a North Carolinian through and through. He grew up in Kenly, went to college in Fayetteville, and spent more than two decades working for the Durham County Sheriff’s Office. After 55 deeply-lived years, Reggie died on April 24, 2020 from complications related to coronavirus.

“Reggie had a magnetic personality, a spirit of kindness and sincerity, was a light to all who were blessed enough to be in his presence - even if only a moment,” his relative Michelle Pettiway-Lavender wrote in his online obituary. 

Born in 1964, Reggie was a quiet and responsible child who took after both of his parents, but especially his mother. “She had this cheeky streak that you could tell by her smile, and Reggie had the same thing,” his friend Denise Bennet said. 

He graduated from North Johnston High School in 1983, then attended Johnston Community College. He matriculated to Fayetteville State University, a historically Black college, and earned a bachelor’s degree in Geography in 1989. 

Reggie spent much of the rest of his life serving his community as a Senior Detention Officer at the Durham County Detention Center. He poured his heart and soul into mentoring new officers and was instrumental in shaping the department’s field training program. Cynthia Korenagy, his boss at the Detention Center, described him as “a unique, gentle soul [...] loved by us all.” 

“He was a true friend and forever will be in my heart,” wrote Harriett Wagstaff, his former coworker. “We often talked and I will miss him calling to check on me.” 

In his free time, Reggie loved to clean and cook — his specialty was collard greens. A member of Saint Paul African Methodist Episcopal in Raleigh, he was a devoted churchgoer all his life.

On May 1, Reggie was laid to rest in Selma Memorial Gardens. He is survived by Darren Jerome Pettiway and Debbie Pettiway-Whitley, his brother and sister; Josephine Pettiway, his aunt; James Randoplh Whitley and Cameron Randall Whitley, his nephews; Alexia Whitley Walker (Ulysseus), his niece; James Randolph Whitley, his brother-in-law; and countless other loved ones. 

At his funeral, Bennet recalled a photo of Reggie as a young boy in white robes and wings on a float at the Kinley Christmas Parade, dressed as an angel. In the photo, he is “looking around like, what in the world, what in the world am I doing?” she said. 

Reggie is profoundly missed. 

This memorial was written by MOL team member Jordan Cutler-Tietjen with information from WRAL.com, Walters Sanders Funeral Home and Cremation Services, and the funeral home’s Facebook page.

Original artwork by MOL team member EJ Joyner.