Rebecca Jane Peterson, Loving sister, wife, mother, grandmother, and friend passed away on Thursday, September 21,2017.
Rebecca Jane Blair, aka Becky, was born in Albuquerque, New Mexico. She moved from air base to air base as the child of William Guy Blair and Peggy Sue Clark Blair. In 1967 she moved to Knoxville, Tennessee where she attended Central High School. She graduated in 1971 and began her working career at Miller’s department store. In 1973 she met her future husband, William Peterson, and after a five year courtship they were married at St. James the Fisherman Episcopal Church in Key Largo. They would go on to almost 39 years as man and wife.
She worked at Miller’s until 1978 when she began her career with the University of Tennessee. Upon marriage she moved to Nashville, Tennessee. She began working for a branch of the Institute of Public Service, known as the Center for Industrial Services. The Center took on an expanded role in the 1980’s and Becky rose from secretary to manager. During her work at UTCIS, she became involved with a pilot program for small businesses wanting to do business with the Department of Defense. The Procurement Technical Assistance Centers [PTAC} allowed Becky to become involved with an association she proudly served for over 30 years. In 2005 she served APTAC as their President. Her continued interest lead to the position of Executive Director following her retirement from the University of Tennessee in 2009. Her knowledge of the program and her work with the congressional leadership aided in the education of our elected leaders.
In 1981 Becky became a mother, when she gave birth to her son, Eric Richard Peterson. For the next 36 years she raised a wonderful young man who serves the public as a fire fighter and an EMT. Eric is married to Beth McDowell Peterson. In 2013, Becky became a grandmother when Mac William Peterson was born. Known as' Bebe’ to Mac she loved her grandson dearly.
Becky is preceded in death by her parents and her brother, William Blair. She is survived by husband, William Peterson; son, Eric (Beth) Peterson; grandson, Mac Peterson; sisters Sue (Joe) Murray, Margaret Parks and Noriko Blair; nieces and nephews, Matt Murray, Millicent Roberts, Scott (Karen) Blair, Abby Roberts, Jamie (Anna) Cottam, Hannah Parks; the beloved Clark family and the beloved Rowe family.
The family will receive friends on Sunday, September 24, from 2:00pm until her Celebration of Life Memorial Service at 3:00pm from the chapel of Austin and Bell Funeral Home, Hendersonville, with Dr. Larry Gilmore officiating.
In Lieu of Flowers the family would appreciate a donation to the Saint Thomas Midtown Hospital NICU.
Services have been entrusted to Austin & Bell Funeral Home and Cremation Service, 104 Sanders Ferry Road, Hendersonville TN 37075, 615-822-4442.