James Peterson

Published 11:26 am Monday, May 14, 2018

James Peterson

May 6, 2018

Deacon James Peterson of Bainbridge, Georgia, was born November 19, 1935, in Eldorado, Georgia to the late Felix and Ruth (Heard) Peterson. At age 82 he transitioned to his eternal home on Sunday, May 6, 2018 at Bainbridge Memorial Manor#2.

He attended school in Decatur County and started work at a young age, starting with Elberta Crate & Box Company in Bainbridge. He was a truck driver, a cook at Rochester University and Howard Johnson’s in Rochester, New York, and retired from The Post Searchlight of Bainbridge having served 31 years.

He was married to Kattie May Peterson and to this union four sons and four daughters were born. Later he married Ruby Cockarn Douglas and four children were added to this union.

Deacon Peterson joined First Born Church in Brooklyn, NY at an early age. Later he moved his family to Bainbridge where he moved his membership to First Born Church, later renamed Morris Temple Community First Born Church. There he served as a faithful member, usher, deacon and cook. He served on The Bainbridge District as a Deacon and District Usher and Diocese Usher on the Mighty Mid-South Diocese.

He had many talents and enjoyed cooking and fishing, but his number one talent was ushering. It was his calling to serve.

Deacon James is preceded in death by his first wife, Missionary Kattie May Peterson; parents Felix and Ruth Peterson; daughter Lori Peterson; sisters Bytha Mae Jones, Lillie Peterson, Sarah Harvey, Rosie Fountain and Brother Nathan Peterson.

He is survived by his faithful wife Ruby Douglas Peterson of Bainbridge; sons Willie James (Kathryn) Peterson, Michael James Peterson (Cheryl Norton) of Atlanta; Simon (Mary) Peterson of Pennsylvania, Felix Peterson of Maryland, Tommy Douglas Jr. of Bainbridge and Bernard Douglas of Climax, Ga.; raised grandsons, Jason A. Peterson of Maryland and Dominic Douglas of Buffalo, N.Y.; daughters Barbara A. Peterson, Wendy Peterson, Doreen Peterson of Atlanta, Sandra (Wilfred Nichols of Climax, Shirley Douglas of Bainbridge and raised granddaughter, Jennifer Henderson of Tennessee; brother Airfonzie Peterson Sr. of Bainbridge,; sister-in-law Geraldine Peterson of Bainbridge; 27 grandchildren; 48 great-grandchildren a host of nieces, nephews and cousins, God-granddaughters Faith and Angel Robinson of Cairo, Ga. and other sorrowing family and friends.

Funeral serv ices were held Saturday, May 12, 2018 at 3 p.m. at Morris Temple Community Church, with Elder Pastor Perry Gibbons officiating. Interment followed at Jonas Lobe Cemetery.

Bruton Mortuary was in charge of arrangements.