Parnell "Pete" C. Peterson

Beech Island, SC…Master Sergeant (Ret.) Parnell (Pete) C. Peterson, 83, beloved husband of 31 years to Judy Jones Peterson, went home to be with his Lord and King on July 12, 2022.

A Celebration of Life Service with full military honors will be held at 11:00 AM Saturday, July 16, 2022 at Matlock Baptist Church in Jackson, SC, with Rev. Dale Reeves and Rev. Roy Kiser officiating. His body will lie in state at the church one hour prior to the service. The family will receive friends at Rowland-Ford Funeral Home on Friday, July 15, 2022 from 5:00 PM until 7:00 PM.

Born in Ellenton, SC, Pete grew up in Augusta, GA, and graduated from The Academy of Richmond County. Pete retired from the Air Force after 22 years and returned to the CSRA, where he worked for the fire department at Bush Field, built houses, and finally retired from the Richmond County Board of Education. Pete was a faithful member of Matlock Baptist Church in Jackson, SC.

In addition to his wife, Pete is survived by his daughters, Kimberly Coté (Chris), Enterprise, AL, and Deanne Schafer (James), Easley, SC; bonus daughter Alicia Green, Beech Island, SC; six grandchildren, Ashley Gosnell (Kylan); Danielle Coté; Kayla Kast; Thomas Lovingood (Lacey); Jennifer Stoutjesdyk (Adam); and Buddy Johnson; his sister, Maye Peterson Lowers; and numerous nieces and nephews. Pete is preceded in death by his parents, C.W. Peterson and Mary Louise Peterson Marrs; sister Linda Parker; great-grandson Kaleb Lee; and bonus daughter Caresa Green Johnson.

Pete led by example in his conversation, his actions, and his life. He rarely met a person who he didn’t quietly invite to attend church. He enjoyed reading and working in his shop and the yard, and especially spending time with family at the lake and beach.

Honorary pallbearers will be the PBS Sunday School class of Matlock Baptist Church.

The family offers sincere thanks to Encompass/EnHabit Hospice for the excellent care and tender encouragement given to Pete by Monica Brown, Lisa Bryant, Lisa Greenwood, Latonya Hicks, LouCindy Martin, Linda Powers, and Chaplain Drew. The family also extends appreciation to caregivers Connie Johnson and Connie Martin.

Memorials may be made to The Alzheimer’s Association (alz.org or Alzheimer's Association, Attn: SC Gift Processing, 4600 Park Rd, Ste 250, Charlotte, NC, 28209) or local ministries of Matlock Baptist Church (PO Box 496 Jackson, SC 29831).

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