Deena Joyce Pett

Deena Joyce Pett, "DJ" to friends; "Deena" to family members, a retired entrepreneur and businesswoman from Kennesaw, Georgia. She was born in Dalton, Georgia, August 28, 1945, just a few days after the end of World War II. She was thus a member of the Baby Boomer generation. Her parents were Howard Jasper Gladson and Laura Edna Gladson, Howard came from eastern North Carolina; Laura, from Gilmer County, Georgia. They came to Dalton to find work in what is now the burgeoning carpet and flooring industry, then just getting started in Dalton, an industry DJ herself would later play a successful role. Deena attended North Whitheld High (now Northwest Whitfield High School), where she was an honor student and president of the Beta Club. She later earned her A.A. degree from Dalton State College. As a young woman Deena opened a young women's clothing shop in Dalton, Georgia, named "Duds." Geared to the youth, it featured updated casual clothing. Adept at catchy advertising and imaginative promotions. She sometimes featured live models; Cheerleaders recruited from local high schools. They modeled new clothing arrivals in the shop's front window. DI moved on from Duds to open Brand D, a Marketing Business featuring throw rugs--many of her own design-and other accessories in conjunction with the local carpet industry, supplying department stores and in many cases, their merchandising catalogs. Deena later joined the local carpet industry and headed up carpet retailing under Argonne, a division of Beaulieu Industries, marketing to the hardware and home improvement chains. As President of Argonne, she secured and cultivated volume carpet sales to Home Depot, Lowes, and many other Home Improvement DIY (Do-It-Yourself) stores across America. Other retailers and hardware outlets also became part of her national sales promotions. DJ also had the distinct honor of being named one of the Most Successful Businesswomen in America by Forbes Magazine. All this required extensive travel to reach the lofty sales goals she achieved, and it earned her Delta Airlines first woman's Million Mile Frequent Flyer's Award. Even though through her hard work ethic she became an extremely successful entrepreneur and businesswoman, her greatest joy came from raising three successful sons, whose lives now bless society through well-constructed homes, appliances designed and repaired, and through well-performing computer systems. She leaves behind her loving husband of thirty-seven years, Roger Pett; her adult children, Chris (Patti) Elrod; Glenn (Twila) Elrod; Darren Joyce; Barry Pett; Scott (Debbie) Pett; and Kelly (John) Attala; her brothers and sisters, Jerry (Laura) Gladson; Don (Pat) Pett; Sandy Ginner; and Gail (Don) Wolf. She was predeceased by her brothers Raymond (Billie) Hollis and Michael (Julie Schwartz) Gladson. Her grandchildren, Forrest & Fernanda Pett; Ella, Nolan & Sarah Attala; Sean (Amanda) Elrod; Christian Elrod; Aimee (Dustin)Bryant; Jessie Abercrombie; Nic Vali; Josh (Morgan) Roberts; Tasha Elrod; Kayla (Evan) Elrod; Brendi (Matthew) Angeles; Corey Clark; and Dylan Joyce, all mourn her passing. One of DI's great joys were her great-grandchildren: Eli, Kali, Ellie and Eason Elrod; Waverly Angeles; Ranger & Tucker Roberts: Cadence Elrod; Timmy, Lewis and Lillian Maddron: Jaykob & Cami Baker; Austin McAfee; Ethan, Abby and Morgan Bryant. Her nieces and nephews also meant much to her: Jeff Gladson; JoAnna (William) Brooks: Paula Gladson; Randy (Greta) Hollis: Janice Lowe; Jody Marks; Dale Pett; Kathy Davey; Janet Fendos; Karen Hall; Donna Felland. DJ had many cousins and other relatives, too numerous to mention by name. Among them Carol Hill and Terry Backer were special to DJ. In childhood, Carol and Terry lived in the same neighborhood and spent many hours playing together. Their special friendship has continued through the years. Chrissie Elrod, a dear friend from Dalton, Georgia, was like a daughter to DJ, and was often at her side in her final days. Deena passed peacefully with family surrounding her on August 3, 2023. A celebration of her life is scheduled at First Christian Church (Disciples of Christ), 569 Frasier St., Marietta, Georgia, where she was an active member, on Saturday, September 9, at 2:00 p.m. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that memorial contributions be made to the music ministry of First Christian Church (Disciples of Christ), Marietta, Georgia.