Obituaries

Alandrus Alexander ” Sonny” Peterson

Alandrus Alexander Peterson “Sonny” was born on December 3, 1919, to Sadie Wilson and Dan Peterson of Wellborn, Texas. At an early age Alandrus accepted Christ as his Lord and Savior and joined his home church, Pleasant Grove Baptist Church in College Station, Texas. He was
an active member until marriage, where he joined Roans Chapel Baptist Church in College Station, Texas.At Roans Chapel, he was a member for over 70 years during which he was ordained as a Deacon and heldthe position of Superintendent of Sunday School, until his health declined.Alandrus was drafted in the United States Army on Feb 16, 1942, serving in World War II. While serving four years in the military, he was stationed in Italy and Germany. In 1946, he met and married his loving wife, Atoy Ford. To this union one child was born, Alandrus “Lanny,” and then later received aspecial gift, Valerie “Sweet Pea.”Growing up, Alandrus did not have the opportunity to attend school because he had to work. Education was always a
passion of his so he did not let his job stop him from learning. At night he would read his older sister Velma’s school books and when he did have the opportunity to attend school, he advanced to higher grade levels. His love for reading did not stop there. To
this day, he still has a large collection of books. After getting his GED in the military, he enrolled at Prairie View A&M
University. While there, he took several vocational courses, including Seminary courses, until he applied his hours to a
degree plan. In 1952, he received a Bachelor of Science in Industrial Education and eventually went on to receive a Master of Science too.
Alandrus took his degree from Prairie View and opened his own Cleaners and Laundromat.business located next to his home. Dr. A.I. Thomas, president of Prairie View at that time, asked him to run Henrietta T. Farrell Hall, the laundromat on campus from 1967 to 1982, where he retired. On Monday mornings when Alandrus was headed to Prairie View, studentswould wait outside his home, on the driveway, trying to catch a ride to campus and most times, his car was full.
Although he was retired, Alandrus was so used to working that he got a part-time job at a store called Gas-Tec. He quickly realized that he had more fulfilling tasks to occupy his time. He began running cattle, volunteering with the City of Bryan Community Development, Brazos Valley Juneteenth Committee, Central District Association, and the Central Texas Veterans Association. Throughout his life, Alandrus knew that his faith in God, educating yourself, and good work ethic was essential to a successful and fulfilling life. He always believed in helping the community, often times having crews of young men helping with odd jobs to supplement their income. Most people do not know that he drove
until age 93, and he was never under the medical care of a doctor until around age 96. He always said that the key to his longevity was that he never drank alcohol or smoked.
Upon the decline of his health, God placed Demetria Bircher “Tee Tee” as he called her, Jackie Owens, and family in his life to fulfill his desire to live at home and be taken care of until his final moments. In this last year and a half of his life, these ladies went from caretakers to family by making not only his life, but also our life memorable, enjoyable, and comforting. There was never a dull moment in his household and for this, we are forever grateful.
A.A. Peterson was preceded in death by his parents, Sadie and Dan; devoted wife, Atoy; son, Alandrus “Lanny”; brothers, Howard Gibbs and Eugene McDonald; and sister, Velma Peterson. He is
survived by his daughter, Valerie “Sweet Pea” Bailey (Kevin); grandchildren, Alexis Gonzalez (Jacinto),
Jabryl Peterson, Morgan Bailey, and Kevin Kyle Bailey; great grandchildren, Alandrus A. Peterson and
Jabreana Peterson; daughter-in-law, Rhonda Peterson; siblings, Rosie Lee Moore, Audrey Brown, Hattie
Marsh, Cutie Marshall, and Willie Robinson (Thana); and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.

Visitation will be Friday Oct 12, 2018 from 10am to 5 pm at Daniel and Son Funeral home.

Services will be Sat Oct 13, 2018 at 11am at Roans Chapel Baptist chuch