Margaret Peters

Mrs. Margaret Ramsey Minnie Pearl Peters, 89, of Walterboro, died Monday morning, March 7, 2011, at her home in Walterboro under the care of Hospice of America, her nurse, Tombie Dunmore and aid, Sharon Osgood. A native of Harriman, Tennessee, she was born October 31, 1921, the daughter of the later Henley Preston and Carrie Suddath Ramsey. She is survived by an identical twin sister, Mary Josephine McKinney and her husband Eugene of Rockwood, Tennessee.



During World War II, she came to work at the Charleston Naval Shipyard where she met and married Willis Floy Drawdy of Walterboro. The couple had four children. Surviving children include Rebecca Ann Lee-Grigg of Walterboro, SC and Willis Floy Drawdy, Jr. of Blair, Oklahoma; and a foster daughter, Rosalee Arkin. Deceased are her sons, Robert Louis Drawdy and Amos Henley Drawdy, both of Manassas, Virginia. There are six grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren.



Her second marriage was to Lamar R. Peters. They had one son, John Fitzgerald Peters of Charleston and one grandchild. Stepchildren included Lamar R. Peters, Jr. of Bamberg, S.C., Gracie Black of Summerville, Gail Davis of Beaufort, Otis Albert Peters of Walterboro, Reginald Dale Peters of Amarillo, Texas, and Anthony T. Peters of Greenville. Deceased is Jimmy Peters of Lodge, S.C. There are numerous step grandchildren and great-grandchildren. There are two dear friends, Mrs. Ollie Rath and Mrs. Helen Peters.



A lifelong member of Mt. Carmel United Methodist Church in Walterboro, she served as church pianist, a lay speaker, a Sunday School teacher, and promoted the annual Memorial Day Celebration to honor veteran's in the historic church cemetery.



She was affectionately know as Minnie Pearl. She had entertained with for many years with her own version of the comic country character act. She was well-known for her less than melodious rendition of Happy Birthday which she sang loudly on any occasion where someone in the room had a birthday, be it friend or total stranger. At the Walterboro Walmart where she worked as greeter for eleven years, she was known by locals and tourist alike, for passing out happy faces to all children and singing Happy Birthday by request over the speaker system.



She attended Tennessee Wesleyan College in Athens, Tenn. Where she received a two year degree in home economics. She was retired after 39 years with Asten in Walterboro.



Funeral services will be conducted 4 oclock Wednesday afternoon, March 9, 2011, from Mount Carmel United Methodist Church, 5687 Mount Carmel Road, Walterboro. Interment will follow in the churchyard.



In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be sent to the Mt. Carmel Veteran's Cemetery Fund, c/o Mt. Carmel United Methodist Church, 5687 Mt. Carmel Road, Walterboro, S.C.29488-9227



For those that so desire, memorial messages and thoughts of condolence as well as memories of Mrs. Peters may be shared with the family by visiting: www.briceherndonfuneralhome.com.



Family and friends are invited to call from 6:00 until 8:00 this Tuesday evening at THE BRICE W. HERNDON AND SONS FUNERAL HOMES, WALTERBORO CHAPEL, 1193 Bells Highway, Walterboro, 843.538.5408.

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