Dr. Sharon Denise Peters

Sharon Denise Peters entered into this earthly life on September 24, 1954, in Atlanta, Georgia.She was the first born to her beloved parents, Anne and James Calvin Peters, Sr. She entered this world like a fireball and brought life to so many who loved and adored her including her sister, Sheila and her brother, Calvin. She matriculated at schools in Mississippi and North Carolina. Sharon graduated from Appalachian State University where she not only was a scholar but the first African American cheerleader. She was awarded a fellowship for graduate study in Sociology at Southern Illinois University – Carbondale. Sharon was a graduate research and teaching assistant. She earned her master’s degree in Sociology at SIU. She moved to Nashville, Tennessee in 1982 and initially worked at the Department of Human Services. She became the Program Coordinator for Grants/Assistant Executive Director at Metro Action Commission. She was moved by the negative plight in others and found joy in supporting children and families who were searching for a way out of poverty and despair.

Sharon served as the Program Manager on a national grant focused on gender-specific programming for girls at risk for entering the juvenile justice system. She managed the program and trained throughout the United States. She understood that many youth are victims of their circumstances and need safe spaces to be restored and mature into their best selves. Sharon loved education and enrolled at TSU to complete her doctoral degree. Initially, she served as a graduate assistant in the Graduate School as she pursued a doctorate in Public Administration. She enjoyed her various roles including her work at the Avon Williams campus, in the Provost’s office and as Executive Director of Community College Initiatives. Over the last few years, she returned to the classroom and absolutely loved challenging and encouraging her students. She worked tirelessly to support the Levi Watkins Institute and valued all of the talented young scholars who are on the road to becoming physicians or dentists.

Sharon fought for the underdog and as she met her last opponent, that challenged her physical body, she happily joined the board of the Heimerdinger Foundation. She found joy in finding ways to tangibly support people who were battling cancer. She recruited many to support the meals for cancer patients and their families. Service to the community was modeled and nurtured within Sharon by her parents and faith community. Affectionately known as “Dr. Sharon,” she was a member of Societas Docta, Inc. She valued and championed the role of mentorship to others who were pursuing their professional training. She helped to make many people believe that they could reach their academic dreams. Dr. Sharon was a proud member of the Parthenon Chapter of Links, Inc. She served as Recording Secretary and was eager to join hands with other distinguished women to serve the community. She was a life member of the NAACP and served on the Executive Board. Within the United Methodist Church, she served as a Trustee for the former Cumberland District, Trustee at Ernest Newman United Methodist Church, member of United Methodist Women at Ernest Newman and Gordon Memorial United Methodist Churches. She served as a board member of the TSU Wesley Foundation. She followed her sister, Sheila as her pastor to BradenMemorial United Methodist Church and fell in love with the Braden community. She participated and supported various ministries including the Community Table and weekly Bible fellowship at Braden.

For many years, she supported Calvin and the I Have a Future program at Pearl Cohn Comprehensive High School. She chaperoned many trips and was instrumental in supporting graduates who were considering college, particularly TSU. She chaperoned Alternative Spring Breaks to New Orleans after Hurricane Katrina along with her sister, Sheila and Fisk students and staff. Sharon traveled to Ghana and to Brazil with Fisk faculty, staff, and students. Dr. Sharon was a fiercely loyal friend, sister, and colleague. She loved many and she was loved back. There were two individuals who she loved dearly, and every day found a way to show them the goodness in life. She loved Charlotte Anne and CJ beyond life. They both have an advocate in heaven for eternity.

Dr. Sharon’s parents, her mother, Anne Lois Glover Peters and father, Dr. James Calvin Peters, Sr. proceeded her in death. She is survived by her devoted siblings-- brother, Calvin Peters and sister, Sheila Peters, daughter in love, Kala Phelps, niece, Charlotte Anne Peters and nephew, CJ (Calvin James) Peters. She is survived by her uncles, O.C. Peters (Southfield, Michigan) and Jessie Peters (Wiggins, MS). She leaves a host of cousins and relatives including but not limitedto J.C. Cannon (Washington, D.C.), Michelle James (Los Angeles, CA), and Ora Evans  (Wiggins, Mississippi). She had many loyal friends over the years and cherished each one for their unique gifts including but not limited to Barbara Murrell, Kimi Bonner, Bill Joslin, Dr. John Robinson, and Kalya Wiseman. She leaves a legacy of determination, fortitude and resilience to her friends, colleagues and family.

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