Despite the physical and emotional toll of the disease, she refused to let it define her or dictate the course of her life. Instead, she met this adversity with courage and perseverance, continuing to pursue her goals with unwavering determination.

She would fulfill her life's work as an educator for the rest of her days. Even after she retired from teaching, she delighted in tutoring young minds.

As life would have it, Jeannette found herself a single parent of a young daughter at a young age. Lupus did not interfere with Jeannette's quality of life or her daughter's. She was determined to live life to the fullest... and that she did!

Jeannette Pettiford Clay lived a life defined by purpose, love, and an unwavering spirit. She refused to let obstacles stand in the way of her dreams, embracing each challenge with resilience and grace. As an educator, mother, and mentor, she inspired countless others with her wisdom and perseverance. Her legacy is not just in the lessons she taught but in the lives she touched, the barriers she broke, and the example she set for generations to come. She lived fully, loved deeply, and left behind a story of courage that will never be forgotten.

MEET

Justine Pettiford

1943-1996

Justine Pettiford, loving, kind-hearted, worker-bee who assisted her mother with cooking and the household chores while she was at work, before moving to Baltimore, Maryland.

Justine had many medical struggles while in Baltimore. She was a diabetic, had heart disease and a strong case of lupus that took her on to heaven at the age of 53, in 1996. Even as she endured much pain and suffering with her lupus, it caused her major organs to malfunction.

Usually, your immune system is like a bodyguard against invaders, such as viruses, bacteria, illnesses, and other germs. But in the case of Justine’s lupus, her immune system mistakenly attacked her own body’s healthy tissues causing her heart to malfunction, lost function of her kidneys. Justine had to go on dialysis and had to be given shots every day for her diabetes. She took a grocery bag full of medicines, this was unbelievable.

The inflammation caused by her lupus affected many different body systems, including her joints, her beautiful skin, kidneys, blood cells, heart, and lungs. Her eyes became enlarged, her long beautiful hair changed it course, her fingers were deformed-looking, and she was on oxygen for her lungs before her demise. She also would have sudden and unexplained swelling, especially in the extremities (feet, ankles, legs, fingers, arms) or the eyes. Although Justine could not work, she learned many crafts at home to give to others because she had an extremely giving heart. She made beautiful pillows, crocketed bed covers, made hats, scarves, and gloves to give as Christmas gifts.

She never allowed her disabilities to hinder her from what she enjoyed most - her love showed in her giving. Her beautiful smile warmed your heart and made you not look at her sickness but at the beautiful person she was. She loved her family, especially her son, Jeffery, so much. We will always remember her for the wonderful attributes she possessed!

Through family support she was able to balance the daily struggles with lupus. Living with lupus can sometimes be a challenge; however, with medication management it has proven to allow her to live her life and enjoy spending time with her family.

Catherine was married to the late Bobby Holloway for 61 years. She is the mother of 4 children, 12 grandchildren and 15 great grandchildren. Catherine is a lupus warrior and continues to fight each day.

MEET

LaTriece Winstead

LUPUS WARRIOR + FOUNDER

PETTIFORD FOUNDATION, INC

LaTriece Winstead, President and Founder of The Pettiford Foundation, created this 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization with the intent of finding a cure for lupus.

This foundation hits home like no other because at the young age of 31 LaTriece heard those three life changing words “You have lupus”. What had originated as a myriad of random symptoms (disorientation, confusion, fatigue, etc.) it was recommended by her doctor to run tests on her thyroid. Several lab tests and doctor’s visits later there was still no answer to her condition.

Frustrated, tired and out of ideas LaTriece asked her doctor to test her for lupus and sure enough, positive. Fortunately for LaTriece, lupus was not foreign. At this stage in her life lupus had impacted several members of her family including her mother, aunts, and cousins. LaTriece has witnessed up close and personal how transformative this disease can be.

Once the initial diagnosis was made it was time to buckle up and prepare for the long journey ahead. It took LaTriece visiting three individual doctors to receive the treatment and care needed to control her symptoms. Through every doctor’s visit LaTriece remained vigilant, persistent, and served as an advocate for herself to receive the treatment she deserved.

After connecting with the appropriate doctor LaTriece underwent chemotherapy for six months to treat the illness. The effects of chemotherapy were tough on her body, but LaTriece proved to be tougher.

After months of treatment resulting in stabilizing her lupus for a moment, LaTriece was then able to focus on adjusting her lifestyle as a result of this life changing disease. LaTriece was able to receive Social Security and long-term disability from her employer upon her first attempt.

These resources have afforded her the opportunity to live her current lifestyle as a lupus warrior. Instead of managing her disease silently LaTriece has decided to use her voice, share her story and uplift other lupus warriors around her. The Pettiford Foundation was created in hopes to find a cure for this disease but to also support, inspire and advocate for all within the lupus community.

Through the challenges LaTriece has faced she has never allowed lupus to stop her story.

LaTriece is an inspiration to all with her empathy, compassion and grit. The world is so lucky to have LaTriece as a fearless leader, eager to cure lupus while uplifting the community simultaneously. What’s one piece of advice LaTriece would share with those undergoing lupus?

“Keep a sense of humor, be patient with yourself, and be your greatest advocate. Doctors don’t know everything, so be aware of what your body is doing and relay that to your care team.”

She hopes as a board member of the Pettiford Foundation she will be able to provide support to other lupus survivors.

MEET

Jackie Holloway Woody

Born and raised with roots grounded in family, Jackie is the embodiment of resilience, grace, and quiet strength. She grew up knowing the value of family, faith, and showing up — no matter what. That foundation has carried her through many storms, none greater than her journey with lupus.

Diagnosed after watching her mother and other beloved family members live with and in some cases, lose their lives to lupus, Jackie could have folded under the weight of it all. But true to her nature, she stood tall not just for herself but for everyone around her. Her life is a testament to the truth that a lupus diagnosis is not an end — it’s the beginning of a new chapter filled with courage, compassion, and commitment to living fully.

A devoted mother and grandmother, Jackie has never let lupus define her. Instead, she’s defined what it means to love through adversity—teaching her children and grandchildren what strength looks like when it's wrapped in tenderness. Whether it's with a home-cooked meal, a knowing hug, or a simple “I’m here,” she shows up—every time, especially when it matters most.

While she has many talents, Jackie’s greatest gift is her open, giving, and unwavering heart. Her life is proof that beauty grows even in the hardest soil and that country girls don’t just survive—they thrive.

Eventually, a rheumatologist stepped in and finally gave her pain a name: Lupus trait.

That diagnosis changed everything.

For the past 8 years, she's been on medication to help control her flares. Some days are better than others, but every single day is a reminder of the silent battle she fights within her body. "Lupus is unpredictable. It can impact any part of the body—joints, skin, kidneys, blood cells, brain, heart, lungs—and it doesn’t always come with warning signs. It steals your energy, disrupts your plans, and demands strength you didn’t know you had," she shares.

Living with Lupus has taught Brianna to cherish the good days, to rest without guilt on the hard ones, and to advocate—not just for herself, but for others who are walking a similar path.

That’s why she feels so passionately about The Pettiford Foundation.

The Pettiford Foundation is more than just a nonprofit. It’s a community, a lifeline, and a powerful advocate for those living with Lupus and other chronic conditions. This foundation is dedicated to raising awareness, supporting those affected, and ultimately helping to find a cure. Their work brings hope, funding, and education to a disease that is often misunderstood and overlooked.

There is still no cure for Lupus—but Brianna believes there will be. And she believes that organizations like The Pettiford Foundation are leading us there.

She shares her story not for sympathy, but for connection. She wants those who have been affected by Lupus to know that they're not alone. She shares...

"I encourage you to support this incredible organization. Your support—whether through donations, volunteering, or simply spreading the word—can make a difference. It can help fund research, provide resources, and bring light to people in the darkest moments of their journey. Together, we can fight for better treatments. We can fight for understanding. And most importantly, we can fight for a cure."