Carving a place in this world
When Gary Pettus hears young people make excuses for their delinquent behavior, he shakes his head in disgust.
“Many say they grew up in public housing, and they use that as an excuse for getting involved in criminal activity,” he said.
But Pettus, 46, who grew up in Clarksville’s Summit Heights neighborhood, said that’s no excuse. In fact, Pettus has never let the fact that he grew up in public housing stop him from pursuing his dreams.
Pettus is owner of Reddie’s Crafts, a family-inspired business. He carves wood figurines, toys, magnets, bag clips and welcome signs.
“I want to let people know that someone from public housing created these,” Pettus said. “It isn’t where you live, it is how you were raised, as well as what you want to achieve.”
