Marjorie Knowlton "Marge" Peterson

Marjorie Knowlton (Marge) Peterson, 90, passed away on Monday, July 16 at her son’s home in Quitman, Georgia. All who knew her should be at peace to know that she is now with her loving Lord. Marge was born in Massillon, Ohio and moved to Tallahassee in 1960 with her husband, Bill Peterson. From 1960 through 1970, Marge was the First Lady of Florida State football and was a favorite among coaches’ wives who often commented, “Marge taught us how to be a

coach’s wife and always conducted herself with grace and dignity.” More importantly to Marge, she was the mother of five sons, grandmother to ten and a great grandmother. She was also a member of Trinity United Methodist Church and lived a life that was a testament to both her Faith and her family.

One of Marge’s favorite stories involved the Peterson’s move to Tallahassee in 1960 and it helps explain why she so dearly loved her adopted hometown. In the spring of that year, Marge found herself following a moving van from Baton Rouge to FSU where her husband had been named head football coach. An Ohio native, Marge had been extremely anxious about her family's previous move to Louisiana. As it turned out, things went well in Baton Rouge and the Tigers captured the 1958 national championship. She now worried about her next move to Florida and another change for her family. To make things worse, during the drive to Tallahassee, several of her five sons came down with the chicken pox. She was really beginning to question this latest move as she felt compelled to cover her sick children’s heads and sneak them into the Skyline motor lodge. To make things worse, her husband went to visit with some boosters and Marge was left to herself to ponder her new situation.

The next morning Bill left for the office and Marge was once again by herself. But not for long. Shortly thereafter, Dr. Ed Haskell, a prominent Tallahassee physician and FSU supporter was at the door with a friendly hello and words that were music to Marge’s ears. "I understand you have some sick boys. Let's see if we can make them better". Right then, Marge knew that Tallahassee would be a great place to raise a family and for her husband to work. And it was. In fact, it was the greatest time of their lives. Although Marge would leave Tallahassee twice to follow Coach Pete to Houston and then to Orlando, she always insisted they move back to Tallahassee.

Marge attended and graduated from Ohio Northern University in Ada, Ohio. Her parents, Eugene and Mary Knowlton, Bill Peterson, her loving husband of over 52 years, and her son Tom, preceded her in death. Survivors include her sons: Ron Peterson and his wife, Linda, of Quitman, Georgia, Jon Peterson and his wife, Kathy, of Friendswood, Texas, Bill Peterson and his wife, Joanna, of Powder Springs, Georgia and David Peterson and his wife, Lynn, of Orange Beach, Alabama. She is also survived by Tom’s wife, Annie Peterson, of Katy, Texas and ten grandchildren and four great grandchildren.

Funeral service will be held 10:00 am Saturday, July 21, 2012 at Trinity United Methodist Church with interment to follow. Family will receive friends from 09:00 am to 10:00 am in the chapel. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to The Bill Peterson Endowed Scholarship for Distinguished Economics Majors at 288 Bellamy Building, Florida State University, Tallahassee Florida 32306-2180.