Smith Pettiford had a son named Willis. He married Ruth Hyatt and had one child, Raymond Pettiford, Sr.. Willis died at a rather young age. After graduating from what is now known as NC A&T State University, Raymond married Beatrice Jones, a graduate of Bennett College. They had 4 children, Brenda, Raymond, Jr., Olga, and Charles while remaining in Greensboro. Raymond, Sr. was a professional touring jazz musician and a professor of music at Palmer Institute in Sedalia, NC. He also served in Pearl Harbor as a member of the Navy Band which was honored by the State of NC before he died in 1992. His instrument of choice was the saxophone. His wife Beatrice was a pianist and their love for music was passed down to all of their children and many grand and great-grandchildren. Playing a musical instrument soon became a family tradition. He continued to raise all of the children in Greensboro with the help of his mother, upon the untimely passing of his young bride Beatrice. This branch of the Pettiford surname has just celebrated the graduation of a fifth generation from NC A&T State University. Raymond's first great-grandchild graduated in the spring of 2006. This continues our distinction of having the longest legacy of any family at the states flagship HBCU.