Max Earl Peters

Max Earl Peters

Max Earl Peters, 89, Waterville, OH, (formerly of Gate City, VA) passed away Wednesday, March 13, 2024, at Mercy Hospital, Perrysburg, OH.

Born in Alley Valley, in Scott County, VA on June 14, 1934, to the late Stonewall Jackson Peters and Opal Virginia Webb, Max graduated from Shoemaker High School in 1952. Max proudly served first in the U.S. Navy and then in the U.S. Air Force through which he traveled the world.  He retired at the rank of TSGT in 1975 after 23 years of service.  Upon his retirement, he and his family moved back to the Northeast Tennessee and Southwest Virginia area where he worked for the U.S. Postal Service and then Holston Valley Hospital and Medical Center, from which he retired after 14 years. 

Max was baptized at First Baptist Church, Gate City, VA and was a charter member of Community Fellowship Baptist Church, also of Gate City, VA where he served as a deacon for several years.  He also attended Gravelly Baptist Church in Kingsport, TN.

Max was an avid competitive bowler who shared his love of bowling with his late wife, Virginia. He competed in leagues in Texas, Massachusetts, and Alaska throughout his service in the Air Force, and then continued to do so after he retired.  He also competed in several International Moose Lodge tournaments, won medals in several senior state bowling tournaments in both singles, doubles, and mixed doubles.  He then went on to compete in the National Senior Games.

Max was a die-hard Virginia Tech Hokies fan, and a fan of any sport that his grandson, who affectionally called him Pop-Pop, played. In addition to his love of bowling and sports, he spent many an hour fishing when he was stationed in Alaska and developed quite the skill for tying his own flies.  He was also a fan of good cooking and loved to eat out with friends and family at the Campus Drive in, where he considered the staff family.  He had a sweet tooth and always got a chuckle when he discovered that his birthday and Christmas gifts often included a five-pound bag of peanut M&Ms, his favorites.

In addition to his parents, Max was preceded in death by his wife, Virginia Rose Stokes Peters, his sister Lois Faye Peters Touton, his sisters-in-law and their spouses, Barbara Stokes Pierson, J.B. Pierson, Charlotte Stokes Cathey, Charles Cathey, Wilma Nell Newton, and Raymond Newton.

He is survived by his daughter Sabrina Peters-Whitehead, son-in-law Garrett Whitehead, and his beloved grandson Culver Whitehead, all of Waterville, OH.  Max is also survived by his brother Fred Jack Peters, Weber City, VA; his nephews Chris Peters, Weber City, VA; Kevin Peters (Lori) , Roanoke, VA, and Fredrick “Rick” Touton III, Scottsdale, AZ.  Additionally, Max is survived by sister-in-law Sandra Stokes Lark and husband, Billy, Kingsport, TN.  He was the loving uncle to nieces Cynthia Haynes, Pamela Osborne, Lenore Pezold, Melanie Jones, and Keissa Lark, along with many great-nieces and great- nephews. In addition to his family, left to mourn and celebrate Max’s life are the members of his bowling teams, who were not just great friends, but also just as important to him as family.

The Peters family will receive friends from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m., Wednesday, April 10, 2024, at Gate City Funeral Home; a funeral service will immediately follow in the Gene Falin Memorial Chapel of the funeral home with David Salley officiating.  Eric McMurray will provide the music.

Graveside services will be at 2:00 p.m. on Thursday, April 11, 2024, at Mountain Home Veterans Cemetery in Johnson City, TN.  The Peters family requests that friends and family meet at the cemetery for the burial rather than at the funeral home for a procession.  Garrett Whitehead, Culver Whitehead, Chris Peters, Kevin Peters, John Thomas, and Rick Touton will serve as pallbearers.  Jack Peters, Howard Osborne, and Tony Hamilton will serve as honorary pallbearers.

Flowers may be sent to Gate City Funeral Home. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to the Air Force Aid Society, the VFW National Home, the Navy-Marine Corps Relief Society, Folds of Honor, or a charity of your choice in his memory.

An online guest register is available for the Peters family at www.gatecityfunerals.com. 

Gate City Funeral Home is honored to be serving the family of Max Earl Peters.