Mary "Frankie" Peterson

Mary Franklin “Frankie” Dempsey Peterson left this earthly life at the age of 88 to join her Lord on Monday January 26, 2026. She passed away peacefully in her home in Harrells, NC during the night, all tucked in and ready to reunite with her loved ones.

Frankie was born on 11-09-1937 as the firstborn child of Seba and Mary Lillie Dempsey in Wallace, NC. She was raised in a loving and tight knit family, and was devoted to her parents and sisters. She met and shortly thereafter married Erwin “Scott” Peterson of Harrells, NC. She was predeceased by her parents Seba and Mary Lillie Dempsey of Wallace, NC; husband Scott Peterson of Harrells, NC; sister Shelby D. Moore and brother-in-law David Moore of Wilmington, NC; sister-in-law and brother-in-law Rachel P. Nichols and Ray Nichols of Harrells, NC; sister-in-law and brother-in-law Emily P. Knowles and Charles Knowles of Wallace, NC; niece Denise P. Nichols and her half-sister Betty Rae Monroe of White Oak, NC.

She is survived by her youngest sister Linda D. Chamblee and brother-in-law Barry Chamblee of Wendell, NC. Although Frankie and Scott had no children of their own they considered all of the nieces and nephews as “Ours”. Trent Rogers (Melissa); Scott Rogers (Lisa); Bryan Moore (Sheila); Todd Moore (Tracey); Nikkie M. Johnson (Stan); Kathy Walker (Rusty); Frank Nichols; Glenn Knowles (Beth). She was as devoted to her many great nephews and nieces as she was their parents, providing them all with loving and happy memories and stories to tell for years. They are all blessed and proud to have Aunt Frankie influence their lives.

Frankie was raised in the Dupin County – Wallace community. She was the oldest of three girls and was very close to her sisters Shelby and Linda. She attended school in Wallace and graduated from Wallace High School. It was in her high school years that she formed and maintained life long and close relationships with her classmates. Her class reunion always brought her so much joy. Shortly after graduation she met Scott Peterson and they were married on February 10,1957. There were married for 45 years at the time of his death. In the first years of their marriage, they lived in Wallace and later built a home in Harrells. She worked at J.P. Stevens and held several positions, eventually becoming the Administrative Secretary. The friendships found at work were genuine and lasted far beyond retirement. She helped close out the last months of J.P. Stevens and was one of the last employees to lock the doors, but she never forgot a soul there. Upon retirement she was to happily and whole heartedly devote her time to her beautiful yard, vegetable garden and raising Koi in her front yard pond. She had a bountiful garden for many years that she was always willing to share with her family and neighbors and the Koi became her retirement stay at home job. To say she loved being outside in her yard is an understatement. That is where her heart and soul thrived. Frankie was devoted to all of her family, friends and community. She was a feisty woman with a quick and generous smile. To know her was to understand you had hugs and kisses coming your way each time you met. She was genuinely interested in everyone she met and never forgot a name. She would sing for you if asked, she had a beautiful voice and was glad to share it in a song. And her trademark other than her big smile… she always used her hands to interpret the conversation just in case it wasn’t lively enough. She is going to be greatly missed, but the family rejoices knowing she is with her Lord and Savior, reunited with the ones that have gone before her.

Services will be held at Padgett Funeral Home on Friday, January 30th at 2:30. There will be a visitation one hour prior to the service. Graveside services will be conducted afterward at Harrells Cemetery. The Rev. Bryan Moore (nephew) will be officiating.