The Petteys have kept life interesting since Greg and Michelle met on a blind date to an Auburn University football game nearly 24 years ago. Michelle is from Mobile, while Greg grew up in Opelika. Michelle’s sorority sisters and their boyfriends (Greg’s fraternity brothers) set them up. Michelle’s one requirement was that the date be with someone fun! They married in 2003, the same year they graduated from Auburn.

 

Greg and Michelle moved back to the loveliest village in 2006. After tragically losing their stillborn son, they were blessed with two daughters, Ann Thompson, 15, and Adele, 13. Life was good and is still good, but the family hit a major hiccup when Greg was diagnosed with colorectal cancer in 2018 at age 37. The family was reminded of God’s promises and all the love in our community through Greg’s surgeries and treatments in Opelika and at MD Anderson in Houston. Greg is now cancer-free, and the family has moved on to new adventures like making their Moore’s Mill home their own!

 

The Petteys moved onto Highland Road in mid-December 2024, just two days after their nine performances of The Nutcracker. The entire family has participated in the East Alabama Community Ballet (EACB) presentation of The Nutcracker at Telfair Peet Theater for the last four years. The girls dance on the competition team at Nix Dance Studio, and Michelle danced growing up. So, when EACB needed male participants for the party scene a few years ago, Greg agreed. “I’ve learned that life is too short to take yourself too seriously,” said Greg. “I want to support what my family supports.” Adele and Ann Thompson have danced in The Nutcracker for many years, with Clara and Chinese Tea lead roles in 2024.

 

Greg is the Opelika City President of AuburnBank as of April 1, serving the community he loves in the profession he has loved for more than 20 years. He also serves on the Business to Leaders (B2L) Board of the Alabama Bankers Association. Greg grew up playing golf and tennis but has traded his clubs for pickleball paddles and plays several days a week. Michelle is the Lead Director of Strategic Proposals Management for CVS Caremark, where she works remotely from home. Michelle also serves on the Board of Directors of EACB.

 

In addition to dancing at Nix Dance, Ann Thompson enjoys playing tennis at Moore’s Mill Club and participating in Auburn Junior High School’s L.E.G.O.S. club. She is also happy to be selected to work at Camp Marannook this summer, a camp that she has loved for many years. Adele enjoys dancing at Nix and participating in Project Outreach at East Samford School and YoungLife. The entire Pettey family is active at First Baptist Church Opelika. When they aren’t completing projects at home, the Petteys can be found boating on Lake Martin with their three-year-old cavapoo dog, Winnie.

 

The Pettey family has enjoyed moving into the neighborhood, especially since they are directly next door to the girls’ friends, Sally and Louise Stanley! Andrew Stanley is a partner of Greg’s dad, Bob Pettey, at Samford & Denson, LLP, so their girls have grown up together. Michelle said, “It’s nice to have a built-in carpool for two schools and the many various social activities of our four girls. My girls are also excited to be just steps away from a Bronze Delivery spray tan with Sarah (Stanley).”

 

The Petteys look forward to meeting their new neighbors in the warmer weather. Their dog, Winnie, loves new friends, so give a “Hello” and “War Eagle” when you see her.