Mrs. Mary Nelson Peterson, 73, of Rockingham died Wednesday, Jan. 28, 2009, at FirstHealth Moore Regional Hospital in Pinehurst.

She was born Aug. 26, 1935, a daughter of Wilburt and Jessie Nelson.

Funeral services will be held 2 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 3, at Ashley Chapel A.M.E. Zion Church, 309 Mizpah Road, Rockingham, with the Rev. Richardo Leak Sr. officiating. Burial will follow in Ashley Chapel A.M.E. Zion Church Cemetery.

Mrs. Peterson was preceded in death by her father, Wilburt Nelson; and her husband, Milton E. Peterson.

She is survived by her mother, Jessie Nelson of Rockingham; four daughters, Mary Willoughby and Denise Nelson, both of Rockingham; Thelma Peterson and Veronica Brown, both of New Haven, Conn.; three sons, Dennis Nelson and Roger Nelson of the home; and Milton Peterson Jr. of New Haven; three brothers, John Nelson, Otis Nelson and Jerry Nelson, all of Rockingham; one sister, Doris Allred of Hamlet; six grandchildren and one great-granddaughter.

Public viewing will be held 1 to 7 p.m. Monday, Feb. 2, and the family will receive friends from 7 to 8 p.m. at Nelson Funeral Home, 1021 East Washington St., Rockingham.

Nelson Funeral Service of Rockingham is in charge of arrangements.

Sunday, February 1, 2009

Richmond County Daily Journal