Mary Pauline Pinkston

Remembering Mary Pauline Peters Pinkston

August 15, 1931 ~ April 15, 2020

Mary Pauline Peters was born on August 15, 1931 in Bogalusa, Louisiana to the late Everette Morris Peters of Sandy Hook, Mississippi and the late Charity Brown Peters of Folsom, Louisiana. Mary accepted Christ at a young age and was baptized at the Second Baptist Church in Bogalusa. Scholastically, Mary graduated from Central Memorial High School. She later further her studies, obtaining a Bachelor of Science Degree from Grambling College, now Grambling State University. After college, Mary became an elementary school teacher, working in both Washington Parish and St. Mary Parish – starting at Centerville Elementary, then going to Sumpter Williams and finally going to Wyandotte Elementary School where she remained until her retirement.

In the early 1960’s, Mary met and married Raymond Pinkston, Jr. in Bogalusa. After their marriage, she and Raymond moved to Berwick, Louisiana which became their home until their death. To this union, three children were born, Gil Ray, Stacey Fabray, and Erica Elizabeth. In Berwick, the family united with the Mason United Methodist Church and Mary served as a Communion Steward and Church Secretary. Civically, Mary was a member of Iota Eta Omega Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc., where she believed in rendering service to all mankind, a member of the Tri-City Helping Hearts Foundation, and was the Past Matron of the Berwick Chapter Order of Eastern Star – Prince Hall Affiliated until the chapter merged with the Pride of Patterson Chapter #28 Order of Eastern Stars – Prince Hall Affiliated and Mary remained a member of that chapter until her death.

She departed this life on Wednesday morning April 15, 2020, and was preceded in death by: her husband, Raymond Pinkston, Jr.; her parents, Everette Sr. and Charity Peters; two brothers, L.J. Peters and Everette Peters, Jr.; two sisters, Juanita Peters and Vivian L. Peters Percy.

Mary leaves to mourn her passing those who celebrate her life: a son, Gil Ray Pinkston of Augusta, GA; two daughters, Stacey Fabray Pinkston-Harvey of Houma, LA and Erica Elizabeth Pinkston-Williams of Waldorf, MD; her grandchildren; Stacia ( Austin) Randall of Atlanta, GA, Maurice Harvey of Fort Smith, AR, Lauren Williams of Tampa, FL and Lindsey Williams of Jacksonville, FL; her great-grandchildren Alacia Randall of Atlanta, GA and Zackary Harvey of Fort Smith, AR; her sister Emelda Peters Kennerly and her husband, Melvin of Jacksonville, FL; a sister-in-law, Carol Sue Verdine and her husband, Gerald of Carson, CA; a brothers-in-law, Howard Pinkston of Gibson, LA; her nieces, Dianna L. Percy Pettus of Killeen, TX and Tina Verdine Anthony of Hingham, MA; her nephews, Glen Ray Verdine,  Gerald Verdine, Brian Verdine all of Carson, CA, Marlon Hayes, Lafayette, LA, Daniel (Robin) Pinkston and Philip Pinkston both of Baton Rouge, LA, David (Shanette) Pinkston of Natchez, MS; her god-children, Rodney Johnson and Djuan Thomas Tucker; a dear friend, Beverly Y. Morse and a host of great-nieces, great-nephews, other relatives and friends.

I’d like the memory of me to be a happy one.

I’d like to leave an afterglow of smiles when life is done.

I’d like to leave an echo whispering softly down the ways,

Of happy times and laughing times and bright and sunny days.

I’d like the tears of those who grieve, to dry before the sun;

Of happy memories that I leave when life is done.

In an effort to comply with the CDC recommendations to cancel/postpone events with 10 or more people, and state officials imploring people to stay home and limit social interaction, a private graveside service will be held. Mary will be entombed in the Mausoleum Section of the Morgan City Cemetery. Graveside Services will be accessible by viewing the family's personal Facebook pages upon time of the services.   

The family appreciates your understanding and thoughtfulness during this most difficult time.