Sherman Peterson

Dr. Sherman Peterson, 82, of Conway and Little Rock, died January 7. He was preceded in death by his parents, Reverend W.W. Peterson and Lucy Lewis Peterson; his brother, Bill Peterson; and three half-siblings, Ralph, Hazel and Lois. He is survived by his wife of 58 years, Jacque Floyd Peterson; brother, John (Laura); sister Nina Martin; children, Brent (Capi), Kimberly Smith (Craig), Kevin (Sherry), Scott (Anna); grandchildren, Sydney, Shelby, Sarah, Rebekah, Jacob, and Rachel Peterson, and Catherine Smith; and a host of nieces and nephews. Sherman was born November 13, 1930 in Melbourne, Ark. He was a life-long Methodist and served with his wife as youth counselors in Warrensburg, Mo., Charleston, Ark. and in Siloam Springs, Ark. He served as Chairman of the Higher Education Commission of the Little Rock Conference and on the Race and Religion Committee. He served over the years as lay leader, Sunday School teacher, trustee and finance chairman. He was a member of First United Methodist Church of Conway. Sherman graduated valedictorian at Charleston High School and received a B.A. from Hendrix College, where he lettered in football and basketball and remained on the Dean's list. He obtained master's and doctoral degrees in Education from the U of A, where he was a graduate assistant. He served five years of active duty in the Air Force and retired with the rank of Lt. Colonel from the Air National Guard after 30 years of service. Sherman was a coach and teacher at Charleston and Siloam Springs and a school administrator at Siloam Springs and Monticello, AR. He was on the faculty at Arkansas A & M (now UAM), where he taught graduate courses. Then he served as Associate Director of Instructional Services at the Arkansas Department of Higher Education and as State Director for the North Central Association. He finished his career as Supervisor of Adult Education for the Conway Public Schools. Sherman was a volunteer Boy Scout leader in Little Rock and received the Silver Beaver Award. He was a member of the Conway Rotary Club and a Paul Harris Fellow. He was a board member of the Salvation Army and did volunteer tax preparation for senior citizens in Faulkner Co. A memorial service will be held at 10 a.m., Friday, January 11 at First United Methodist Church of Conway, 1610 Prince Street. Memorials may be made to the Conway FUMC or to the Arthritis Foundation. An on-line guestbook may be signed at www.rollerfuneralhomes.com.