Emily Tillman Peterson of Fernandina Beach, Florida passed away on November 2, 2023, after an extended illness. Emily, 79 years of age, was born on April 11, 1944, in Cuthbert, Georgia to Richard Thomas Tillman and Emily Perryman Tillman. She was married for 56 years to Joseph Terry Peterson of Fernandina Beach.
Emily grew up in Cuthbert and after graduation from high school and Andrew College. She then attended LaGrange College. There she met her future husband, Terry. They were married on March 18,1967, and graduated together.
Before Terry’s army enlistment, they spent three months hitchhiking across Europe, an experience she cherished and always talked about. She taught school in Fernandina Beach while Terry completed army training, and they could rejoin.
Terry was assigned to Monterey, CA, where they spent one great year and where their first son, Joseph Scott Peterson, was born. Terry’s next assignment was to Berlin, Germany, where they would spend nearly three years. It was an assignment Emily really loved. It was in Berlin where she had her second son, Matthew Thomas Peterson.
After the army and some minor moves, with further education and Emily teaching in both Florida and Georgia, the family moved to Tallahassee, Florida. It was there they would reside for the next 40 years. While living in Tallahassee, Terry practiced architecture and Emily taught school in Wakulla County. She taught both high school history and then her most cherished subject, Exceptional Education, at the middle school level. She had a total of 43 years of teaching experience; those 37 years in Wakulla took her to retirement. They then returned to Fernandina Beach.
In addition to her husband, Terry, Emily leaves behind her dearly loved two sons, Scott and Matt. Both were everything she always wanted. Emily lived for her children. She most loved to watch Scott and Matt play soccer, grow in their careers, and travel the world. Scott and wife, Sue, of Camp Humphrey, South Korea gave her granddaughter, Sara, and grandson, Scotty. Matt and wife, Anne, of Boyce, Virginia gave another grandson, Thomas, and granddaughter, Clara.
Emily also leaves behind a sister, Rita Hefty (John) of Las Vegas, Nevada, sister-in-law, LaVerne Hamilton, of Fernandina Beach, and numerous nieces, nephews, cousins and friends. All whom she loved.
There will be a memory gathering for Emily on Saturday, November 25, from 3 -5 at the Peterson home in Fernandina Beach.