Marlene Delois Peters

Life Reflections Marlene Deloris Peters was born on Tuesday, November 7, 1933 at (Historic, but segregated) old City Hospital No. 2 in Saint Louis, Missouri to a loving mother, Beatrice D. Abram (Johnson) who predeceased her. Marlene lost her left arm at the tender age of five years old after being hit from behind by a Hit and Run Driver (who later was stopped on the rural highway) in LeHi, Arkansas. She spent over one year in John Gaston Hospital in Memphis, TN where she was the loving joy of medical personnel at the hospital. As a child, she transitioned her disability into developing skills, and abilities to overcome any liability. When she was offered a prosthetic arm, she declined the offer. She never complained about the Loss of her arm, and she had such a joyous personality that anyone rarely, if ever, noticed that empty left sleeve. Indeed, Marlene was a heroic testament to resilience, strong determination, faith and being an inspiration to others. Marlene attended segregated elementary school in Edmundson, AR, and the African-American generat-ional Lincoln School (now designated Historic) in Richmond Heights, Missouri. She also attended Historic Douglass High School in Webster Groves, Missouri where she was a_prote'ge' of Master Choir Director Kenneth Brown Billups (who later taught at Sumner High School and formed the Legend Singers).Marlene was born with an exceptional Lyric Soprano voice, and sang briefly with the internationally known choir, "Wings Over Jordan". Marlene also sang at Radio Station KXLW in Brentwood, Missouri on a Sunday Morning Gospel show with the late Rev. James E. Fiddmont, Pastor of Mount Zion Missionary Baptist Church in Richmond Heights, Missouri who delivered on-air spiritual messages. Marlene confessed her life to God at an early age, and continued her music ministry in the choir at Mount Zion Baptist Church in Richmond Heights until her health prevented her from singing, which she absolutely loved, and was born to do. Marlene was united in marriage to James Henry Peters who preceded her in death after 45 years of marriage. In this union, Marlene and James shared and loved two children, Trena Peters and Greg Brown. They also cared for and nurtured four (4) grandchildren in their home, Seiarra LaMesha, Tyree, Malcolm, and James. Marlene and James also served as Foster parents to Daisy Griffin. Marlene worked the majority of her life as a Domestic Housekeeper, and before her retirement she worked as Cook and Housekeeper for many years at the Immacolata Catholic Parish in Richmond Heights, Missouri where she instilled her brand of positive humor, and great food to all the Priests who came to stay there, (including the now Cardinal Timothy Michael Dolan, Roman Catholic Archdiocese of New York). Marlene was considered a valued team member of the Priests' residence, and was often out shopping with their credit cards to purchase the best food ever for "discriminating" taste buds. They also sought her out for her ability to "problem solve everyday life-challenges", and her straight-forward wisdom. Marlene was a loving surrogate Mother to her siblings, Mother to her children, grandmother, sister, aunt, foster parent, and loyal friend who would assist anyone she could with much laughter, and a generous heart. Marlene leaves to cherish her loving memory: her children, Trena Peters, Greg Brown (Pearl) of Lima, OH,foster daughter, Daisy Griffin, nine grandchildren including granddaughter, Seiarra (grandson, Terrell preceded Marlene in death), Tyree, Malcom, and James, Tynia, Kameia, Kevin, and Kaden, Frederick Couch,_devoted and loyal friend, several great-grandchildren, 4 sisters, Margie, Rosalyn (Willard), Marva (Larry), Dorothy of Fort Wayne, IN, (Emma preceded her in death Chicago, IL), five brother Michael Stephen (Betty Ann), Kirby LaRay, Albert Johnson, Jr., (Little Rock, AR), Tollie Hicks Johnson (Proctor, AR), Erwin Jerome Johnson (West Memphis, AR), foster daughter Daisy Griffin, a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, many friends, special friends including, Denise "Nicey" Rigley (god daughter), Sharon (Sista') Johnson, Michael Pierson, Miss Topsy, Nancy Shoemaker, and lifelong friend Columbus Gregory (Chicago, IL). Interment: J.B. National Cemetery2600 Sheridan AvenueSt. Louis, MO 63126 Interment:Jefferson Barracks National Cemetery2900 Sheridan RdSaint Louis, MO 63125 . Visitation First Church of God - Richmond Heights Thursday, April 08, 2021 4:00 PM - 7:00 PM 7770 Dale AvenueRichmond Heights, MO 63117 Directions Funeral Service First Church of God - Richmond Heights Friday, April 09, 2021 10:30 AM - 12:00 PM 7770 Dale AvenueRichmond Heights, MO 63117 Directions