Corinda A. Pettyjohn

The roaring 1920s were filled with economic prosperity, the 1st  Academy Awards, and blazing number women

entering the workforce while gaining their passage of the 19th  Amendment, giving them the right to vote.

However, towards the late 1920s the world changed for the better. “Better” was the day that Corinda Anna

Pettyjohn was born. She was born at home in Lincoln, DE on Thursday, July 18, 1929 to Raymond and Edith

Pettyjohn. So, while the world was experiencing the “Great Depression,” the Pettyjohn family was experiencing

their world transitioning with love as their family grew and they welcomed their newest member “Corinda Anna”

to the family.

Corinda, a witty and loving child, was the middle child of 7 kids. She enjoyed playing outside all day with her

siblings. She loved to play jacks and double dutch; she jumped longer and faster than her sisters and friends.

Corinda enjoyed teasing her youngest sister “Baby Sis” and would often make her sister jump on her back and she

would swing with her from the rope hanging from the tree. Daily, she would read books under the morning sun

while her siblings and friends would run around playing. She never wanted to waste a day so she would often read

or perfect her math skills. Corinda enjoyed the pleasures of the peace and calm that comes with reading a good

book and using her imagination. When Corinda wasn’t playing with her siblings or friends, she enjoyed her pet dog

“Lassie” and her cat “Blue Eyes.”

As many know, the “Great Depression” worsened the already bleak economic situation for many African

Americans but Corinda and her family kept their head high and pushed through it with dignity and pride. She

along with many others of her time, didn’t let the thought of the depression dampen her spirit; instead, she

flourished as child. She walked 3-4 miles to school in any weather condition. She was dedicated to her schooling

and committed to succeeding. On Weekends, she enjoyed going to the movies; however, the movies were

segregated. She didn’t let that stop her, she enjoyed her movies while all the time knowing that one day, she

wouldn’t be limited to sitting on one side.

By the age of 25, Corinda moved to Wilmington, DE. Corinda was devoted to raising her two children (Douglas

and Stacia) and ensuring that their daily needs and wants were met. Surpassing all odds, at the age of 35, Corinda

learned to drive and she purchased her 1st car, a 1957 Chevy.

As an adult, she enjoys gardening, cooking, crossword puzzles, and spending time with family. At any given time,

you can find her outside at 117 Chesterfield Drive cutting the bushes, pulling weeds, planting, or watering her

flowers. Her family often jokes that Corinda should open a dry cleaning service because she can iron and press

clothing like none other. In her leisure, she loves shows from 1950s and 1960s; such as, Perry Mason, I dream of

Jeanie, Bewitched, Andy Griffin, Westerns (Gun Smoke), and Mysteries.

Throughout her life, her children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren have having been the driving force that

encouraged her to start traveling. At the age of 75, Corinda embarked on her first flight, from then on she has

been on the move flying across country and internationally. In the last 20 years, she has traveled to the following:

Florida, Bahamas, Niagara Falls, Las Vegas, California, New Hampshire, Grand Canyon, Myrtle Beach and Atlantic

City just to name a few. She enjoys making memories with her family and views her time spent with the people

she loves as the best gift in this book called “Life.”