Lorenzo Peterson, Sr.

Mr. Lorenzo Peterson, Sr. was born on September 28, 1931 to Mr. Guy Peterson and Mrs. Lillie Mae Peterson, in LaVerne, Alabama. The family moved to Detroit, Michigan where they felt the children would have better opportunities. Lorenzo took advantage of those opportunities and began to work as a young teenager. He delivered coal, worked in the neighborhood grocery store, delivered newspapers and did many other honest jobs to help provide for his family. In January of 1951, Lorenzo married Geraldine Kennedy and to this union four children were born: Lorenzo Jr, Charles Jerome, Anthony Ronald, and Renee Delores. Lorenzo, Jr. and Renee Delores preceded him in death. Though the marriage ended in divorce after more than thirty years, the two remained friends and family. He accepted Christ as his Savior and joined Greater Quinn AME Church in Detroit Michigan, and later Bethel AME Church, Saginaw, Michigan Lorenzo was a hard worker and never missed an opportunity to do an extra job if it meant providing better for his family. His work ethic caused him to move his family to Saginaw, Michigan where he worked at General Motors for more than 35 years before retiring. He also was an excellent mechanic and a great car repairman. He thought it was important to teach his children how to repair things, how to paint a room, how to fish, how to hunt, how to grow a garden, how to have the best looking lawn in the neighborhood, and how to help the older lady down the block bring her groceries in from the car. He loved children, not only his, but all the nieces, nephews, cousins, and those in the neighborhood. He taught them all the value of hard work, the meaning of treating others as you wished to be treated, and the joy of being a real friend. He was never too busy to fix a child's bike tire, to take a youngster fishing, or to cook a meal for all the children who migrated to his home. He loved family and looked out for his siblings and could always be depended upon to extend a helping hand to each of them. They all knew they could count on him. He never missed an opportunity to participate in a family gathering. Peterson Family reunions, Kennedy Family reunions, graduations, weddings, anniversary celebrations, funerals, retirements, birthday celebrations, holiday parties, fish frys, you name it, Lorenzo was there. Lorenzo's health began to fail a few years ago and he began a ritual of dialysis. As his body began to deteriorate, his spirit did also. God in His tender mercy called him home on Sunday, June 22, 2014. He was preceded in death by his parents, Mr. & Mrs. Guy and Lillie Mae Peterson, children, Lorenzo, Jr. and Renee Delores; brother, Willie B. Peterson and sister, Bessie Lee Peterson Wilson. He leaves precious memories with his sons, Charles Jerome, Lawrenceville, GA, Anthony Ronald, Saginaw, MI, and Isaiah, Saginaw, MI; daughter, Carrie Renee, Saginaw, MI; sisters, Lelia Belle Peterson Rayford, Saginaw, MI and Mary Frances Peterson Fletcher, Detroit, MI; grandchildren, Valerie Peterson Kelly (Elliott), US Army Com.Sgt. Major Charles Jerome Peterson II (Toni E.), USAF CM Sgt. Damion L. Peterson (USAF Sr. MSgt. Christy), Sean Peterson (Tiffany), Tiffany Peterson, Cameron Williams and Kalyn Christina Charley Peterson; 15 great-grandchildren, and one great-great grandchild. We shall miss our father, our brother, our grandfather, our friend, but we are rejoicing for him. He has gone to the land of no mores: no more dialysis, no more shots, no more pills, no more falls. We look forward to the day of reunion when all God's children shall gather at the feet of Jesus! Family hour will take place at 10:00 a.m. on Tuesday, July 1, 2014 at the Evans & Browne's Funeral Home, 441 North Jefferson Avenue with the funeral service commencing at 11:00 a.m. Rev. Lenore Williams will officiate. Friends may call at the funeral home on Tuesday from 10:00 a.m. until time of service.

Lorenzo Peterson, Sr.

September 28, 1931 - June 22, 2014