Elvara "Elevrie" Wyatt Petty, 97, passed away on Wednesday, September 16, 2026, in Street, Maryland. Born on March 21, 1929, in Caretta, West Virginia, she was the daughter of the late Clarence Freeman Wyatt and Laura Wyatt (née Sheets).

Elvara was a 1947 graduate of Delta High School. On November 1, 1947, she married the love of her life, Thomas Petty, with whom she shared an incredible 77 years of marriage before his passing on February 11, 2025. Together, they built a life centered around hard work, family, faith, and service to their community.

For many years, Elvara and Thomas owned and operated Petty’s Garage in Whiteford, and she was also involved as a Harford County school bus contractor. Her strong work ethic was matched only by her commitment to helping others.

A longtime member of Baptist View Church in Forest Hill, Maryland, Elvara had been part of the church family since she was a young adult. Her faith remained an important part of her life throughout the years.

Elvara was also a Charter Member of the Whiteford Volunteer Fire Company, serving in an auxiliary role and lending her time and talents by cooking and helping with countless events. Most recently, she was inducted into the Harford-Cecil Volunteer Fireman’s Association Hall of Fame, an honor of which she was tremendously proud.

At home, Elvara enjoyed camping, gardening, and canning the vegetables she grew. She loved cooking and baking, working on puzzles and word searches, and, above all, spending time with her family. Family was at the very center of Elvara’s life. One of her favorite traditions was preparing large Sunday meals for everyone to gather around and enjoy together after church each week. Those meals were about far more than food—they were about family, fellowship, and creating memories around the table.

Elvara is survived by her children, Shirley Testerman and her husband, Eddie; Linda Boothe and her husband, Troy; and Jeff Petty and his wife, Kim; as well as her nephew, Michael Wyatt and his wife, Melodye, whom she helped raise.

She was the proud grandmother of Dawn McCole and her husband, Steve; Jason Testerman and his wife, Holly; Ryan Boothe and his wife, Victoria; Jeremy Boothe and his wife, Angie; and April Petty-Cruley and her wife, Stephanie.

Her family continued to grow through her great-grandchildren, Dalton Boothe and his fiancée, Shelbie; Cian McCole and his fiancée, Brandi; Lane Boothe; Trinity Testerman; Kylee Testerman; Conal McCole; Emily Boothe; Brandon Boothe; Taylor Boothe; Callen Boothe; Kait Watkins and her husband, Brandon; Shelby Cason; Rhett Hill; and Louella Hill; and her great-great-grandchildren, Jackson Watkins, Nicholas Watkins, Presleigh Blevins, Raylynn Boothe, Parker Watkins, and Alex Roth.

In addition to her parents and beloved husband, Thomas, Elvara was preceded in death by her siblings, James Fred Wyatt and Billy Jo Wyatt.

The family will receive friends on Tuesday, September 22, 2026, from 5:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. at Wagner-Elfner and Harkins Funeral Home & Cremation Services, Inc., 600 Main Street, Delta, Pennsylvania 17314.

The family will also receive friends on Wednesday, September 23, 2026, from 10:00 a.m. until 11:00 a.m. at Baptist View Church, 2718 Sharon Road, Jarrettsville, Maryland 21084, where a funeral service celebrating Elvara’s life will begin at 11:00 a.m., officiated by Pastor Rob Johnson and Pastor Ryan Boothe.

Interment will follow in Baptist View Church Cemetery.

Serving as pallbearers will be Elvara’s great-grandchildren, Dalton Boothe, Cian McCole, Lane Boothe, Trinity Testerman, Conal McCole, and Brandon Boothe.

Wagner-Elfner and Harkins Funeral Home & Cremation Services, Inc. is honored to assist the Petty family with the arrangements.

In lieu of flowers donations may be made in Elvara’s name to Whiteford Volunteer Fire Company or Baptist View Church.