Carol Ann Peterson Whitehead, 78, of Virginia Beach, VA passed away on August 22, 2019. She was born on January 13, 1941 in Lynn, Massachusetts, the oldest child to the late Marie Rose Alma Richard and Peter Robert Peterson. She was preceded in death by her husband of 47 years, CMDR William Odell Whitehead M.D., her sister, Sandra Marie Peterson Sharp, and an infant daughter.
In her early life, Carol was a skilled seamstress and developed her talent for art from her father. She worked as an operating room technician where she met her husband. She was primarily a homemaker with a wide array of talents and interests. She was an artist in watercolors and pastels and was named 1982 Artist of the Year in Sanford, NC by the Brush and Palette Club. Over the years, she enjoyed various arts and crafts, including bead and jewelry making and stained glass. Carol was also a writer, having written several unpublished stories, as well as collections of poems and musings. Carol was an Anglophile who enjoyed keeping up with the royal families of Europe. She was also an avid collector and dealer of antiques. Along with her husband, she was a lover of jazz music and enjoyed many live music performances in the many locations where she lived. This interest led her to co-own and manage the Key West Music Store during the 1980’s.
Carol is survived by sons, Glenn Whitehead of the home, Gregg (Dana) Whitehead of Richlands, NC and daughter, Dawn (Marty) Wilson of Hickory, NC. She is also survived by brothers, Allen (Carol) Peterson of Chesapeake, VA, Rick Peterson of Sarasota, FL, and Tommy Gladden of Indiana. She is also survived by three grandchildren, Elise Wilson, Matthew Wilson and Jason Whitehead and a niece, Allison (Hunter) Coords, one grandniece, Eva Marie and two grandnephews, Maclain and Nolan.
Carol lived an adventurous life and enjoyed time spent with family and friends. She will be greatly missed. In lieu of flowers, memorials can be made to the ASPCA or St. Jude Children’s Hospital.
