Wilma Peterson

Peterson, Wilma Walters Creed, age 102, of Knoxville, previous resident of Lafollette, TN, Naples, FL and Boone, NC passed away Wednesday, December 13, 2017 following a short period of hospitalization. She was a member of Beaver Ridge United Methodist Church. Wilma was born on August 20, 1915 in Anderson County, TN. She was reared in the Karns community and graduated from Karns High School. She earned her permanent teaching certificate following two years of study at Berea College. She returned to the Knoxville area and started her teaching career. Later she attended the University of Tennessee and earned her Bachelor’s degree from Lincoln Memorial University at age 55 while also teaching full time. In 1939 Wilma relocated to North Carolina when she married Joseph Creed. They reared their three children in Boone, NC while owning and operating Creed’s restaurant. Wilma returned to Knoxville in 1962 and began teaching in Special Education. She continued teaching until 1979 when she retired from Powell Elementary. She is remembered as a mentor to student teachers, friend to coworkers and as an advocate for her students. Wilma had many interests including boating, fishing, line dancing, needle crafts and traveling. She was a sports fan and on game days took pride in wearing her”colors”. She especially liked spending time with her three sisters. The many adventures of “the sisters” would make a great sitcom. Over the last few years she was slowed with some physical declines but her mental sharpness was intact. She enjoyed a network of friendships represented by many age groups. Wilma was preceded in death by her parents, Ira and Mittie Belle Walters, brother Boyd Walters, sisters Gladys Leinart, Elmo Chesney and Mary Ruth Boring. Preceded also by Joseph Creed and her husband of over forty years, George Peterson.

Survived by children, Jack Creed and wife Sherrill, Jilda Creed Kettel and husband Bob, Tom Creed and wife Jane; step children, Mark Peterson and wife Carol, Miles Peterson and wife Lynette, Malcolm Peterson and wife Wendy, Melanie Ann Pruesser and husband Don, and Jorjan Peterson; grandchildren, great grandchildren, and nieces and nephews. Thanks to the caregivers from Senior Citizens Home Assistant Service. Also special caregiver Judy Lewis. The family also thanks the staff at Atria Weston Assisted Living where Wilma was a resident for the last year and a half. Special thanks to the SCAN (Senior Citizens Awareness Network) volunteers for their faithful visits to the Petersons.

The family will receive friends from 12:00p-1p on Thursday December 21, 2017 with a memorial service at 1pm in the Berry Lynnhurst Chapel with the Pastor Ronnie Arnold officiating. Interment will follow in Lynnhurst Cemetery. In lieu of flowers consider donations to Beaver Ridge United Methodist Church 7753 Oak Ridge Hwy, Knoxville, TN 37931. Arrangements by Berry Lynnhurst Funeral Home, 2300 W. Adair Dr. Condolences may be offered at www.berrylynnhurst.com