LeRoy Peterson

LeRoy Peterson was born on April 5,1935 in Edgefield, South Carolina. He was raised by his grandparents, Luellen Higgins, Sr. and Lula Brunson Higgins in South Carolina until he moved to Washington, D.C. in 1947 at 12 years old to live with his parents Bernice and Lonnie Quarles.

He was educated in the D.C. Public School System, and later joined the United States Navy when he was 20 years old. He served four years of active duty service while stationed in San Francisco, California from September 9, 1955 to September 9, 1959, and he transferred to the Navy Reserves and served two years stationed in Washington, D.C. until September 08, 1961.

After serving in the military, he worked many jobs as a heavy equipment construction operator at various job sites throughout Washington, D.C., Maryland and Virginia (DMV). He was instrumental in operating heaving duty equipment during the construction of the DC Metro Subway Systems located at Rhode Island and DuPont Circle Stations. In addition, he worked as a carpenter and long-distance tractor trailer driver.

Years later, he moved to Southaven, Mississippi in 2009 and married Darnell (Dee) Hobson Peterson on February 28, 2011. In June 2022, they moved back to the DMV to live closer to family and friends.

He was blessed to be the father of two children, LeRonia Evans and LeRoy Peterson, Jr. He was also honored to be stepfather to Burnett Spurling, Christine Stevens, Angela Johnson, Anthony Spurling, and Tonya Tucker.

He leaves to cherish his loving memories, his devoted wife “Dee”, his devoted daughter LeRonia Evans (Mark); his stepson Burnett Spurling; stepdaughters Tonya Tucker (Timothy) and Christine Stevens; seven grandchildren: Erinn Evans, Jamin Evans, Andre Kates, Leroy Johnson, III, Angelo Johnson, Chyna Stover, Brittney Rodgers (Calvin); six great grandchildren; nephew Aubrey Collins; niece Chele Collins; step-sisters: Catherine Grant and Delores Quarles; step-brother Edward Quarles (Joyce) and devoted cousin, Alberta Peterson Williams; two devoted nieces, Carletha Washington and Twanda Rodgers and a host of many more nieces and nephews, family members and friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Bernice and Lonnie Quarles, his son LeRoy Peterson, Jr. and step-daughter Angela Johnson; stepson Anthony Spurling; his sister Cecile Collins; step-sisters: Florie Gaston, Mary Bruce, Margie Quarles, Henrietta Smith, Virginia Gibbs and Barbara Drakeford; stepbrothers: James Quarles and Floyd Quarles.

LeRoy loved spending time with his family and friends, attending our Annual Family Reunions, fishing, riding his bike and dressing in his sharp active wear, tennis shoes and suits for special occasions. He will be surely missed by all his family and friends.