Ranita Blake Peterson, 83, died peacefully on Monday, Jan. 15, 2024, in Madison, Ala. She was born in Burlington, Iowa to Ralph and Helen Blake. She spent most of her formative years in Shreveport. After graduating from CE Byrd High School in Shreveport in 1958, she attended Northwestern State College where she earned a BA in Education. She was the Head Majorette for the marching band and was a member of Sigma Sigma Sigma sorority. While serving as an ROTC sponsor at Northwestern, she met Milton Peterson of DeQuincy, and they were married in July of 1962. While raising two children and teaching full time, she earned a master’s in education and a +30 in Administration and Supervision from McNeese State University in the 1980s.
Ranita was preceded in death by her parents, Ralph Blake, and Helen and Cecil Foreman; and her husband, Milton Peterson.
She is survived by a son Charles (Pete) Peterson and wife Susan of Athens, Ala., and a daughter DeLise Falls and husband Greg of Apex, N.C.; a sister Jenice Boaz of Spring, Texas; a sister-in-law Jeanette Teeter and husband Richard of DeQuincy; five grandchildren: Abigail Peterson of Huntsville, Ala., Blake Peterson and wife Emma of Cookeville, Tenn., Cortland Peterson and wife Madelyn of Huntsville, Ala., Alex Falls of Charlotte, N. C., and Sarah Falls of Apex, N. C.; plus several special nieces and a nephew, and great-nieces and great-nephews.
Ranita was first and foremost a passionate educator in public and parochial schools all over Louisiana, but primarily Calcasieu Parish, for 40+ years, teaching kindergarten through 8th grade, and eventually serving as principal at Our Lady’s School in Sulphur. She was named Teacher of the Year at Vinton Elementary School and Teacher of the Year at DeQuincy Middle School. She was active for many years in the Calcasieu, Caddo, and Louisiana Retired Teachers’ Associations.
Ranita was active civically in DeQuincy for 40+ years as well. She was a lifelong member of the DeQuincy Study Club and DeQuincy Federated Service League. She was the co-chairman of the LA Railroad Days Festival for many years and is a past Civic Award winner for the city of DeQuincy.
Ranita was a woman of strong faith. She was extremely active at Our Lady of LaSalette Catholic Church in DeQuincy, teaching catechism and faith formation for many years and serving as Superintendent of Education for several years. In later years as she moved away from DeQuincy, she was active in several churches. At St. Mary Magdalene Catholic Church and School in Apex, N. C., she was very involved in the Catholic Senior Organization and volunteered with the school children often. In Alabama, she worshiped at St. Matthew’s Episcopal Church in Madison. In Shreveport, she was a member of St. Mark’s Cathedral Choir, where she had the honor of singing at Carnegie Hall with that group.
In her last years, Ranita lived in Madison at the Range Assisted Living where she continued her active ways. She was President of the Resident Council and was an Ambassador for new and prospective residents.
Ranita was a loving mother, grandmother, daughter, sister, aunt, niece, teacher, and friend. She touched so many lives through her passion for life, devotion to education and civic duty, and service to others. She was a mentor to her children, grandchildren, students, and fellow teachers, all of whom remember her fondly and mourn the loss of this wonderful lady.
A memorial service will be held in the spring of 2024 in DeQuincy.
(Paid Memorial)
