Agnes "Gene" Graham Peterson

Our beloved Agnes Eugenia (Gene) Graham Peterson passed into eternity on Sunday, December 8, 2024 at Ocean Springs Rehabilitation and Nursing Facility in Ocean Springs, Mississippi.

Gene was born in Coden, Alabama on June 9, 1927, and was a long-time resident of Pascagoula, Mississippi. She graduated from Alba High School in Bayou la Batre, Alabama in 1944 and attended Montevallo College in Montevallo, Alabama, and the University of South Alabama. She taught middle school and high school in Grand Bay, Alabama before joining her two brothers, Charles and Robert, at Gulf City Fisheries, Inc.  After retiring, she continued to assist her brother, Charles, with the I’m Alone Charters, Inc. business. 

She is preceded in death by her late husband of 26 years, Robert Charles Peterson, Sr.; son, John Gaylan Clark of Pascagoula, Mississippi; parents, Agnes Belle Schambeau Graham and Charles Eugene Graham of Bayou La Batre; sisters, Mildred Belle (Sister) Graham Bosarge, and Gloria Ann (Tinkie) Graham Kraver of Bayou La Batre, Alabama; brothers, Dayton Manier Graham of Bayou La Batre, Alabama and Robert (Buddy) Augustus Graham of Pascagoula, Mississippi; stepson, Robert Charles Peterson, Jr of Pascagoula, Mississippi; and step-daughter, Nona Peterson Whitman of Slidell, Louisiana. 

Survivors are sons, Wynn Eugene Clark of New Orleans, Louisiana and Nathan Dorlon Clark of Pascagoula, Mississippi; stepson, Stanley Peterson of Moss Point, Mississippi; brother, Charles Edward Graham; sister, June Graham Bosarge; brother-in-law, Walton Kraver of Mobile, Alabama; and son-in-law Jerry Whitman of Slidell, Louisiana.  Grandchildren include John Gaylan Clark, II (Ashley); Cayten Clark Ferry (Marcel); Sarah Clark Bazzell (Aaron); Eugenia Schambeau Clark (Jeremy); Emily Grace Clark; Stephen Chase Clark; and Colleen Elizabeth Clark. Step-grandchildren include Sharon Beckham; Joe Peterson; Doug Peterson; Bob Peterson (Tara); Patti Peterson Ory (Don); Marcia Haydel Brown (Rod); Dr. Micelle Haydel (Dan); and Leah Haydel.  Great grandchildren include Arabella and John (Jack) Clark; Scarlett, Mary Ella Bazzell, and Anniston Grace Bazzell; Nathan Ferry; Christopher and Lukas Ory; Claire, Josie, and Nate Brown; Clinton Nevada and Kirk Dallas Haydel; Lesley Touart, Leighann Rayburn, and Charles Beckham; Joey Hasbrouck and Kendall Peterson; and Robby Peterson, USAF.

Gene had deep respect, love, and admiration for her parents and grandparents. Together, her parents and six younger siblings built a successful charter fishing business with a yacht called the Honeymoon, of Bayou la Batre, Alabama, ‘“her beloved hometown”. As the matriarch of the family, Gene devoted her time to providing encouragement, support and leadership throughout her life not only to her siblings, but also for her over 30 nieces and nephews, the Clark and Peterson families, and many friends as well.  She loved the First Presbyterian Church of Pascagoula, Mississippi, and its members, where she was a faithful and active member for over 65 years.

With heartfelt appreciation, we thank caregivers Joni Steiner, Sandy Hampton, Jackie Dodds, Ishemia Willis, Shonte Woodward, Becky Fulton, and anyone else through Hoop Home Care, for their devoted attention to Gene.  In addition, we would like to thank Dr. Whitlock, Dr. Richard J. Duffy, Hoop Home Care, LLC, Vital Caring, Singing River Hospital, USA Health Hospital in Mobile, Alabama and Ocean Springs Rehabilitation and Nursing Facility and Sherri Brancamp there, O’Bryant-O’Keefe Funeral Home, along with many others.  

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the First Presbyterian Church in Pascagoula. The family will be receiving guests for visitation at 10 am with a service immediately following at 11am on Monday, December 16, 2024, at First Presbyterian Church in Pascagoula, Mississippi followed by an interment at Oddfellows Cemetery in Bayou La Batre, Alabama at 1 pm.   Pallbearers include Jack Clark, Stephen Clark, Dayton Graham, Jr., Stanley Peterson, Charles Edward Graham, Jr. and George V. Davis, Jr.  Honorary pallbearers are Walton Kraver, David Graham, Teeto Graham, Daryl Steiner, Robert A. Graham, Jr., Wade Bosarge, Jr., Joe, Doug, and Bob Peterson, Aaron Bazzell, Jerry Whitman, Doug Horn, Phillip Horn, Derrick Tapper, Lamar Stork, Russ Stork, Bryan Swearingen.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.obryantokeefe.com.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Agnes "Gene" Graham Peterson, please visit our floral store.