Biography: On Monday February 11, 2019, at the age of 89 The Lord called Evelyn Peterson home.
 
Born Evelyn Elizabeth Spencer on June 7, 1929 to the late Henry and Minnie Spencer in Belhaven, North Carolina. Evelyn was the youngest of the four daughters: Olivia, Annie Ree and Edna all who have preceded her in death. Evelyn was educated in the Belhaven, North Carolina Elementary school system.
 
At the age of 12, Evelyn was baptized at the Disciple Church of Christ in Belhaven, NC.  Her love of the Lord continued as a member of The Gospel Hill Baptist Church under the Pastoral leadership of the late Reverend Earl Walker and later Reverend Henry Mack, Jr..  Evelyn lived across the street from Gospel Hill B.C. and had keys to the church as an honor of respect and as a willing worker for the Lord.
 
Childhood sweethearts Evelyn and James Allen Peterson had their first daughter Shirley Elizabeth Peterson in 1943.  They would later marry in 1954 and from that  union had three more children, daughter Vanessa D. Peterson and sons James A. Peterson II and Donald R. Peterson. Her husband James, served in the Navy and preceded her in death in 1972.
 
Education and work were always important to Evelyn and she completed her GED  requirements in New York City and then earned a certificate in Business Education from the State University of New York. She completed her education in 1995 when she graduated with her Bachelor’s in Special Education from City College of New York. Evelyn taught Special Education students at P.S. 188 located in JHS 120 until she retired in 1997.
 
Evelyn had a passion for traveling and she touched the lives of many people with her smile and generosity. Evelyn maintained her personality and trademark curt words along with her sense of humor until the day she departed from us.
 
Evelyn leaves behind to celebrate her legacy her only surviving daughter Vanessa P. Harden (Kevin) Grandchildren: Dana Thompson, Edwina Smith (Reginald), James Bynum (Cynthia), Evelyn Bynum, Samell Frazier, Melissa Harden, Dakita Ross,  Evelyn Davis, Keith Blalock, Donald Peterson II, Felicia Peterson, Brittany Harden, Kelsey Harden, Amber Peterson, Nicole Peterson, James Peterson III and Olivia Peterson. Fourteen great-grandchildren and one great-great granddaughter. Niece    Antionette Etheridge, Nephews Franklin Allen and Curtis Etheridge and a host of    extended family and friends.