Obituary for Erskine L. Peoples, Sr.
Erskine Ladell Peoples, Sr., was born October 16, 1931, to Daniel Lewis Peoples and Pollie Mixon Peoples in Gadsden, AL. He received his formal education at Tennessee State University and completed further studies at the University of Michigan at Ann Arbor.
Erskine was drafted into the United States Army and served in the 62nd Army Band based in Fort Bliss, TX.
He was married to Dorothy Thompson on November 27, 1959. This union was blessed with two children, Erskine Ladell Peoples, Jr. and Tamatha Marie Peoples.
He began his professional career as a teacher and band director at Booker T. Washington High School in Chattanooga. He enjoyed the process of writing and arranging music for the band. He worked diligently to secure instruments for students that could not afford to purchase them. Erskine approached his vocation as he approached his life. He believed in order. While still early in his career, he elected to change his path and embrace the insurance industry. He served the community and surrounding counties as a sales representative with Mutual Benefit Life and New York Life. Later in his career, he served the city of Chattanooga as the assistant manager of employee benefits. He retired from Blue Cross Blue Shield of Tennessee as a field service representative. Like his father, Erskine was a seasoned cook. He enjoyed grilling and feeding his family and friends. He loved music in every way. He was a talented trumpet player traveling with bands and orchestras throughout the country. He lent his talent to the Chattanooga Gospel Orchestra, the Spectrum Band, and the Chattanooga Community Orchestra. He was a member of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity. Erskine served on many boards, including Hamilton County Board of Education, Erlanger Board of trustees, Siskin Hospital Board of trustees, and the Bessie Smith Hall. He served as a member of the Saint John United Methodist Church and was a faithful member of the choir.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Daniel and Pollie Peoples; his siblings, Robert Peoples, Agnes Yette Anderson, Juanita Taylor, and Cecil G. Peoples (Carrie).
He is survived by his loving and dedicated wife, Dorothy T. Peoples; son, Erskine Ladell Peoples, Jr; daughter, Tamatha Peoples; grandchildren, Tarryn Crutcher, Lauryn Peoples, Ezra Peoples, and Tevin Crutcher; sisters-in-law, Patricia Hardin, Carolyn Cothran, Carrie Peoples; a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.
Public viewing will be held Monday, November 21, 2022, from 2:00 PM until 6:00 PM, at John P. Franklin Funeral Home, 1101 Dodds Avenue, 423-622-9995.
An 11:30 AM funeral service will be held Tuesday, November 22, 2022, at Saint John United Methodist Church, 3921 Murray Hills Drive.
Interment: Chattanooga National Cemetery. Gate time 1:30 PM.
Erskine was drafted into the United States Army and served in the 62nd Army Band based in Fort Bliss, TX.
He was married to Dorothy Thompson on November 27, 1959. This union was blessed with two children, Erskine Ladell Peoples, Jr. and Tamatha Marie Peoples.
He began his professional career as a teacher and band director at Booker T. Washington High School in Chattanooga. He enjoyed the process of writing and arranging music for the band. He worked diligently to secure instruments for students that could not afford to purchase them. Erskine approached his vocation as he approached his life. He believed in order. While still early in his career, he elected to change his path and embrace the insurance industry. He served the community and surrounding counties as a sales representative with Mutual Benefit Life and New York Life. Later in his career, he served the city of Chattanooga as the assistant manager of employee benefits. He retired from Blue Cross Blue Shield of Tennessee as a field service representative. Like his father, Erskine was a seasoned cook. He enjoyed grilling and feeding his family and friends. He loved music in every way. He was a talented trumpet player traveling with bands and orchestras throughout the country. He lent his talent to the Chattanooga Gospel Orchestra, the Spectrum Band, and the Chattanooga Community Orchestra. He was a member of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity. Erskine served on many boards, including Hamilton County Board of Education, Erlanger Board of trustees, Siskin Hospital Board of trustees, and the Bessie Smith Hall. He served as a member of the Saint John United Methodist Church and was a faithful member of the choir.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Daniel and Pollie Peoples; his siblings, Robert Peoples, Agnes Yette Anderson, Juanita Taylor, and Cecil G. Peoples (Carrie).
He is survived by his loving and dedicated wife, Dorothy T. Peoples; son, Erskine Ladell Peoples, Jr; daughter, Tamatha Peoples; grandchildren, Tarryn Crutcher, Lauryn Peoples, Ezra Peoples, and Tevin Crutcher; sisters-in-law, Patricia Hardin, Carolyn Cothran, Carrie Peoples; a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.
Public viewing will be held Monday, November 21, 2022, from 2:00 PM until 6:00 PM, at John P. Franklin Funeral Home, 1101 Dodds Avenue, 423-622-9995.
An 11:30 AM funeral service will be held Tuesday, November 22, 2022, at Saint John United Methodist Church, 3921 Murray Hills Drive.
Interment: Chattanooga National Cemetery. Gate time 1:30 PM.