Kenneth Poe Funeral Services

August 7, 2018

Doris Cummings Petersen, 90, passed away peacefully Tuesday, August 7, 2018 in the Stewart Health Center at The Cypress of Charlotte.  Doris was born on February 14, 1928 in Nashville, Tennessee to Edgar J. and Lucille C. Cummings. 

Doris graduated from Virginia Intermont College in Bristol, Virginia.  She was married for 38 years to the love of her life, Dr. Sidney D. Petersen, Jr. whom she met in Nashville while Sid studied at Vanderbilt University.  Sid and Doris were married on December 29, 1952 in Nashville. They lived in Memphis, TN for three years while Sid completed dental school and in Pleasanton, CA for two years while Sid served in the Air Force during the Korean War.  In 1956 they settled in Charlotte with their growing family.  

Doris was a life-long Presbyterian and member of Myers Park Presbyterian Church as well as the Charlotte Dental Auxiliary and Catawba Yacht Club.  Her children considered her the best mom and homemaker anyone could ever ask for as Doris’ number one priority was to unselfishly support her husband and children in all their activities and endeavors. Christmas was an extra special time in the Petersen home as Doris and Sid frequently invited hospital residents with no local family to join their family during the holidays.  Doris was particularly proud of her three children and took incredible care of her family through the most difficult of times. Doris will be most remembered for making anyone visiting her home feel most welcome.  Her warm smile and bright eyes would light up any room!  A frequent volunteer at Hospitality House of Charlotte, Doris was unselfish in the giving of herself, her many talents and her will to live. 

In addition to her parents and husband, Doris was preceded in death by a brother, Edgar J. Cummings, Jr.  Doris is survived by her daughter, Kay Petersen; sons, Frank Petersen and Stephen Petersen and his wife, Deanna, all of Charlotte; cousin, Shelby Moore of Bowling Green, KY and sister-in-law, Deanne McCormick (William) of Jonesborough, TN. 

The family would like to thank Blue Dot Cares and Hospice and Palliative Care Charlotte Region for the excellent care and services they provided Doris.  We also thank her primary CNA’s, Natasha Sims-Hunter, Marcelande Adonis St. Cyr, Yvette Jenkins, Shaquita Johnson, Suzie Dozier, Barsiah Slebo, Gifty Hevaku, Charlene Carouthers, Saty Jagdeo, Catherine Obi and the entire care-giving team at the Stewart Health Center for their love and compassionate care of their mother. 

A service to honor and celebrate Doris’ life will be held 2:00 PM at The Cypress Clubhouse Community Room on Saturday, August 11, 2018.  A reception will follow.  Interment will be private.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Alzheimer’s Association, ALZ.org, Hospitality House of Charlotte, 1400 Scott Avenue, Charlotte, NC 29203, or to the Crisis Assistance Ministry, 500 Spratt Street, Ste A, Charlotte, NC 28206. 

Arrangements are in the care of Kenneth Poe Funeral & Cremation Service, 1321 Berkeley Ave., Charlotte, NC 28204; (704) 641-7606. Online condolences can be shared at www.kennethpoeservices.com.