Martha Peterson (McCormick) Preston

Martha Peterson (McCormick) Preston, age 95, went home to be with her Lord on Monday, June 20, 2016 following a short illness. She was born January 22, 1921 in Ballston, Virginia to parents Vance and Annie MacMillan Peterson. Mrs. Preston grew up in Wilmington and graduated from New Hanover High School in 1938. She worked in an airplane factory in Baltimore, Maryland during World War II. Returning to Wilmington, she went to work at Wilmington Music Company as Office Manager where she met and married Mr. L. B. McCormick. Following the death of Mr. McCormick in 1959, Mrs. Preston sold the Wilmington Music Company and continued to operate "The Record Bar" at Fifth and Castle Streets. She was well known by many teenagers during the 50's, 60's, and 70’s. On September 10th, 1966 she married the love of her life, our Pa, and they enjoyed 43 years together. Always an avid NASCAR fan, she and her late husband attended many races, loved to camp and fish, and in earlier years enjoyed riding their Harley with several other married couples. They were known as The Rolling Rebels.

A beloved mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, sister, and aunt Mrs. Preston was lovingly known as "Mama" to her children, and as "Nana" to her grandchildren and great-grandchildren, and even many friends. She was preceded in death by her first husband Mr. L.B. McCormick, her parents, a sister Elizabeth Pete; two brothers Robert and James Peterson, a step-daughter Ann McCormick Davis Wood; nephews Dickey, Jere, and Pete Peterson; nieces Ann Peterson Costin and Carolyn Peterson Raynor; and her late husband Mr. B W. Preston ("Pa") in 2009. Mrs. Preston is survived by daughters Betty McCormick Webb (Ray) and Sharon McCormick Croom (Larry); four grandchildren Lisa Webb Bland (Donald); Tonia Webb Jolley (Mark); Niel Croom (Heather); and Annie Croom Currie (Joe). Also surviving are eleven great-grandchildren, Megan Bland Peterson (Micah) (who are awaiting the birth of Mrs. Preston's first great-great grandchild Josiah David Peterson), and Micah Bland; Kelsey ( soon to be Cory Knicely), Kassidy, and Kyle Jolley; Alyssabeth and Ashlynn Holland and Brittany Currie; and Amber, Hunter, and Justice Croom; three step-grandchildren Tom Davis, Richard Davis, and Terri Davis Horton; step-great-grandchildren Seth and Aaron Horton and Shea, Casey, and Raney Davis; as well as many loving nieces and nephews. Her loving grandog "Memphis" will no longer get to eat cookies with Nana.

The family will receive friends at Andrews Mortuary at 17th and Market on Thursday June 23 from 6 to 8 pm and at other times at the home 6800 Murrayville Road. Funeral services will be held at Andrews Mortuary Chapel at 17th and Market on Friday June 24 at 10:00 a.m. Burial will follow in Greenlawn Memorial Park on Shipyard Boulevard. Serving as Pallbearers will be son-in-law Larry Croom and grandsons Niel Croom, Micah Bland, Kyle Jolley, Donald Bland, Mark Jolley, Micah Peterson and Joe Currie. Honorary Pallbearer will be Ray Webb.

Mrs. Preston was the matriarch of the family and "kept us all straight" with her sense of humor, love of life, and wisdom. It will never be the same without "Nana."