Urban Tilden Peters

Urban Tilden “Pete” Peters, 93, of Ashland, Kentucky, passed away peacefully on March 12, 2023 following a life well lived in service and faith. He is no doubt rejoicing in the presence of his Lord and Savior.

Urban  Peters was born in Martin, Kentucky on September 22, 1929. He was the son of the late Colonel Robert and Bertha Ellis Peters. He was raised on a small farm in the coal mining region of Eastern Kentucky. He loved to tell the story of his attending a one room school house and the near fatal head injury from a flagpole falling and striking him in the school yard. His subsequent recovery and rehabilitation began his life- long love of physical excellence and education. He graduated with honors from Martin High School in 1948. He attended Berea College for two years prior to enlisting in the U.S. Air Force in 1951. Urban worked as a Cryptologic Language Analyst and was proud of his service. He married the love of his life, Mary Magdalene Branham, on December 31, 1953. Urban was discharged from the Air Force in January of 1955.  Urban and Mary completed their undergraduate education at the University of Maryland. The couple completed their graduate work in Education at Georgetown University. After serving thirty-six years in the Prince George’s County Maryland Public School System, the couple retired in 1989. Urban and Mary were honored to love three Godsons (children of their heart) and their families. He loved to travel and go on grand adventures such as rafting the Colorado River with his boys and groups of young people. His wife Mary passed away on October 14, 2006. Soon thereafter, Urban moved to Ashland, Kentucky to be near his sisters and extended family.

Urban was ordained a Presbyterian Elder in his church in District Heights, MD. After he moved to Ashland, he attended both First Presbyterian and Centenary United Methodist Churches. His civic and personal service was extensive. Urban was a life- long Mason. His service extended from local to international service in the York Rite, Scottish Rite, Shriners, Tall Cedars, Maryland Rosicrucian College Chief Adept, The Grand College of Rites and many more. He was humbled by his accolades in all. He especially was proud of assisting in the transport of children to the Shriners, leading tours of the Masonic Temple in Washington DC, and being named the official “George Washington” for the temple since 2003. A more complete list of his Masonic service is available.  

Urban was predeceased (in addition to his wife Mary and his parents CR and Bertha Peters) by his sisters Lana Rebecca Queen, Annabel P. Conn, his brothers Virgil Cranston Peters and Harold Dean Peters, his God-daughters Patricia and Janice Duley, his nieces, Laura Aven Conn Blackard, Judy McKenzie and nephews Robert “Bobby” Peters, George Miller Queen, James A. Conn, John A. Conn and Robert M. Conn.

Remaining here to celebrate Urban’s life are his God-children Rod Duley, Dennis Duley, and Timothy (Julie) Duley of Maryland. Nieces and nephews: Sandra (Terry Esrael) Robinson of Lexington, David A. (Beulah) Peters of Berea, KY; Mary (Steve) Patton of Lexington; Johnny (Billie) Peters of Langley, KY; Paul (DeeDee) Peters of Parksville, KY; Lana Peters Stewart of Morehead, KY; Steve (Liz) of Luverne, AL; Libby Peters (Greg) Nutter of Meridian, MS; Judy Conn of Ashland, KY; Doug (Susan) Queen,  as well as six grand god-children, great-nieces and nephews and a host of friends.

Visitation will be Wednesday, March 22, 2023 after 4:00 P.M. at Hall Funeral Home, Martin, KY, with church services beginning at 6:30 P.M. with Jacob Dickerson officiating. A masonic service will follow at 7:00 P.M. and a graveside service will take place Thursday, March 23, 2023 at 11:00 A.M. in the Davidson Memorial Gardens, Ivel, KY.

In Lieu of flowers the family request that donations be made to the Elhasa Shrine Casting for Kids, 300 Hughes Rd., East Point, KY 41216.