Robert M. Peters

Peters, Robert (Bob) McConnell age 87 joined his beloved wife in heaven on Sunday, January 14, 2007. Bob was born to John L. and Ruth McConnell Peters on July 12, 1919 on the family farm in Friendsville. He graduated from Friendsville Academy and was a life-long Quaker. He also attended Maryville College where he played tennis, basketball and football. He married Mary Ruth Deford of Loudon on June 14, 1941. Then he joined the U. S. Navy in 1943 and was stationed at Wakiki Beach, Hawaii. After the war, he played semi-pro basketball for Gulf Oil Refinery and for Tennessee Realty. Later he and Ruth organized Saturday night roller skating for the local youth at the Friendsville Academy Gym. He served on the first Friendsville City Commission helping to organize the city in 1953. Though he did not get to complete his college education he provided the way for the rest of his family. In 1983, after 42 years of service, he retired from Alcoa Aluminum Company. Preceding him in death were his wife of 57 years, Ruth Deford Peters; parents, John L. & Ruth Peters; Brother, John Jacob Peters. He will be greatly missed by: his daughter and son-in-law, Sandra and Woodrow Bell; Grandson & Fiance', Jared Robert Reagan & Jennifer Taylor; Granddaughter, Serena Sweet; Great-Grandsons, Kaleb McConnell Russell & William Konner Sweet all of Friendsville, TN; Twin Sister & Brother-in-law, Sarah & William Wilson of Huntington Beach, CA; Step-Grandson, Wife, and Daughters, Trent, Loxy, Sara, Maggie, and Karoline Bell; Step-Granddaughter, husband, and daughters, Amy, Brian, Kirbi, and Khloe Buchanan all of Friendsville; Sisters-in-law, Anna Rhea Goodwin and Carolyn Chaney of Loudon, TN; Brothers-in-law, Fredrick "Jug" Deford and Hurley Deford & wife B.J. of Manchester, TN; many nieces and nephews; Special Friend, Elizabeth Gregg of Friendsville and his loving family of caregivers at Fairpark Healthcare Center in Maryville. Funeral service will be at 7:00 PM, Tuesday, January 16, 2007 in the Trinity Chapel of Smith Mortuary. Family and friends will assemble at 11:00 AM, Wednesday, January 17, 2007 at Watkins Cemetery in Loudon. In lieu of flowers, please send donations to the Friendsville Quaker Church, 407 West Hill Ave., Friendsville, TN 37737. Family will receive friends from 5:00 until 7:00 PM, Tuesday, January 16, 2007, Trinity Chapel, Smith Mortuary, Maryville, 865-983-1000. To send flowers or a memorial gift to the family of Robert M. Peters please visit our Sympathy Store.