Marcellia J. "Teel" Petty

Marcellia J. ‘Teel’  Petty

Marcellia J. Petty, age 84, was welcomed into the arms of the Lord early in the morning of January 18th, 2026. Affectionately known to many as Teel, she will be remembered as a devoted wife, loving mother and grandmother, caring sister and aunt, and upstanding member of her community.

Teel was born April 7th, 1941, in the Buttonwood neighborhood of New Castle, to Rev. Elliott and Indiaola Taylor. She attended the historic Buttonwood Colored School and was one of the first to integrate William Penn High School, where she became their first and only African American majorette. She remained as the sole African American majorette through her graduation. Dance and music were a lifelong passion, in addition to being a talented majorette she was also an accomplished organist who played for many church ministries.

Teel lived a life dedicated to compassion, service, and betterment. She enjoyed working as a baker for the Colonial School District and as an administrative assistant at Electric Hose and Rubber Company. Having always valued involvement in her community, she was elected to the New Castle City Council where she served for 12 years, from 2005-2017. During that time, she worked as the Liaison for Buildings, City Police, and Parks & Recreations where she organized the city Summer Recreation program, encouraging youth to be active, healthy and present in their local environment. She also worked to provide maintenance to Battery Park, mitigate flooding in the city, and repair city streets. Teel believed in a balance between the old and the new. While making new additions to the city, she was also dedicated to the preservation of the city's history. Teel served as the Director of the Buttonwood Civic Association, which preserved and restored the Buttonwood Colored School as a museum. The school dates to 1919 and was pivotal in providing Black students with education and opportunities for upward mobility. It was through her steadfast dedication that she secured millions of dollars to have the school fully restored to its original condition, so that it may stand as a testament to the city’s African American history. Furthermore, she and her husband worked together to build affordable housing in Buttonwood, encouraging growth of the historic community. Teel was a person who got things done, and throughout her career as a public servant she worked closely with allies like Senators Chris Coons, Tom Carper, and then Senator Joe Biden. As well as Governors Ruth Ann Minner and John Carney, and Michael Castle. Over the course of her time in politics, Teel had the honor to proudly represent and carry out the will of Delawareans as a delegate at three Democratic National Conventions. Teel was a lifelong resident of New Castle, and a friendly neighbor to all who knew her.

Teel was happily married to Chief Eugene Petty of the New Castle City Police Department, and the two shared three children and raised a family of eight children and over thirty grand and greatgrand children. Teel kept a warm and loving household, full of laughter, celebrations, and family meals welcome to all who cared to join. Teel had a love of pigs, gardening, baking, and puzzles. She loved sitting in the gazebo enjoying the beauty of nature and welcoming passersby for conversation. She will be remembered as a touching example of how to celebrate a rich life full of kindness and conviction.

She was preceded in death by her beloved husband of 65 years Eugene, children; Cedric,Arlene and Emandus Petty. Her parents, Rev. Elliot and Indiaola Taylor. Her brothers, SaundersTaylor, Franklin Taylor, Alonzo Taylor, Stanford Taylor, Earl Taylor, Calvin Taylor, and Phillip Taylor. Her sisters, Violet Williams, Consuella Holiday, Khadeejah Bint-Elliott, and Sarah Richards.

Her legacy lives on through her devoted and loving children Consuella, with whom she lived, Marcellus Eucett (Anne) and Conwell “Zac” Petty, in addition to eight loving grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Her devoted sisters Victoria Garrett (Joe), Eloise Summers (Eddie), Catherine (Taffy) Hammond, Jacqueline Taylor of DE, Natalie White of Cleveland, OH, brother Stanley Taylor (Cherly) of Newark. Sister-in-law Hester Petty of Jacksonville, FL, brother-in-law Lee Williams of New Castle, and a host of nieces, nephews and cousins.