Levi Peterson, Jr., 92, was born December 13, 1933 in Birmingham (Ensley), Alabama to the late Levi Peterson, Sr and Lelia Bell McCurdy Peterson. Subsequent to Lelia Bells premature passing at his age of four, Levi Sr would later marry Rosa Bell Hendrix and raise Levi, Jr and his sisters Geraldine, Barbara and Sheila. Levi passed peacefully February 21, 2026 while under hospice care after a brief illness.
He professed a faith in God early in life while enrolled at Holy Family Catholic Parish School where his parents would allow Levi, Geraldine and Barbara to attend Mass. He was subsequently baptized into the Catholic faith at Holy Family Parish where he would receive his elementary and high school education at the Parish School. While in high school, Levi would encounter a gentle, compassionate and benevolent priest named Father Michael Caswell who mentored him during a very turbulent period. Levi credited Father Michael with saving him from “serious danger”. This experience would inform Levi’s commitment to mentorship that he so valued.
Levi would be open and very transparent later in life about his struggles, sharing his history as a testimony and inspiration to others that he had dropped out of high school. He joined the United States Air Force, serving his country and was honorably discharged from the Armed Forces. He went on to obtain a GED later using the GI Bill. Levi would later enroll at Allen University in Columbia, South Carolina where he would meet the love of his life, Margaret Gadsden. Levi obtained his teacher’s degree from the university. He and Margaret were married in 1959 and to this union welcomed Levi III and Herschel Vincent.
He began his teaching career in 1960 at Jasper High School in Ridgeland, South Carolina where he taught social studies for 5 years. From 1965 to 1968 he taught at Baptist Hill High School at Younges Island in Charleston County, South Carolina. In 1968 he moved the family to Hopkinsville, Kentucky and taught one year at the now closed Gainesville Elementary School. From 1969 to 1973 he taught at Christian County High School in Hopkinsville. In 1974 he moved into the administrative ranks, becoming Christian County’s first black administrator in his position as assistant principal at Hopkinsville High School. He served in that role for 20 years until his retirement in 1994.
Christian County Public Schools described Levi as a “trailblazer, public servant leader in education, opening doors for future generations of students and educators”. He was a member of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Incorporated and was an esteemed community figure in Hopkinsville. He espoused a strong faith and was a devoted long-term member of Saints Peter and Paul Catholic Church, serving as lector and dedicated member of the Knights of Columbus lay Catholic fraternal service organization. He is permanently enshrined in a stained-glass rendering at the church which depicts Levi as Saint Martin de Porres, the patron saint of social justice, charity and the poor. This honor was bestowed upon Levi by the parish in acknowledgment of his longstanding dedication to the parish while embodying and modeling the characteristics of Saint Martin de Porres.
Over the years, Levi would receive many accolades and acknowledgments. In 2021, he received the Hal and Bettye Thurmond award from the Human Rights Commission. He was presented the key to the city in 2024, where numerous individuals from the community spoke on the impact he had on their lives and meaning to the community. Later in life, at the age of 86, he would become an author, writing the autobiographical The Transformation of a High School Dropout.
Levi was a devoted husband to Margaret for 63 years, a supportive and proud father and grandfather, and an inspiration to all who knew him. He is preceded in death by his devoted wife Margaret and eldest son Levi III, sisters: Sheila Mahand and Sister Mary of the Trinity, OP (Barbara). He leaves to cherish his memory, son Herschel V. Peterson; granddaughters, Margaret E. Peterson and Savannah M. Peterson-Richards (Mantayvius), both of Houston; great-grandson Jamari Richards; sister Geraldine Weathers (Louisville); nieces Carmen Weathers-Washington (Kevin), Charmein Weathers, Camille Woods and Dr. Charita Weathers (all of Louisville); nephew Thalmus Mahand (Joi) (Birmingham); surrogate sons Eric Coleman (Joan), Mark Leavell, Lynn Radford, Garland Collins, and Johnny Burse; surrogate niece Francene Gilmer; and a host of other cherished family and dear friends.
Levi Peterson, Jr., Christian, husband, father, grandfather, brother, family man, educator, mentor, and friend.
Memorial Service
Saturday, February 28, 2026
10:00 AM
Gamble Funeral Home
1311 S LIBERTY ST.
HOPKINSVILLE, KY 42240
Kappa Alpha Psi Presentation
Visitation
Saturday, February 28, 2026
11:00 AM – 1:00 PM
Gamble Funeral Home
1311 S LIBERTY ST.
HOPKINSVILLE, KY 42240
Funeral Service
Monday, March 2, 2026
10:00 AM
St. Peter & Paul Catholic Church
902 E. 9th Street
Hopkinsville, KY 42240
ROSARY TO BEGIN AT 9:30 A.M.
BURIAL AT KVCW
