Jimmy "Pete" Peters

Life’s Reflections

Jimmy “Pete” was born James Peter Sharpe to Aran and Alex Sharpe on the 4^th of February 1926 in Brooksville, Mississippi, one of five children.  He received his education in Mississippi.  The family later relocated to Chicago, Illinois.  As an adult he shortened his name to “Jimmy Peters” however, everyone called him Pete.  He eventually made his home in Kansas City.

On June 6, 1969, he married his soulmate, Geraldine Nance Williams.  At that time he was employed by Ford Motor Company and Dugan’s Dry Cleaners.  After retiring from Ford, he and Geraldine decided to venture out and start their own family business, Pete’s Pronto Cleaners, in Kansas City, Missouri. He did all the alterations while both he and son Patrick did the dry cleaning and pressing.  Geraldine always took care of the books and business details.  As a team, they ran a very successful business for 38 years until his health began to fail.

Pete was an active member of Rising Star Missionary Baptist Church in Kansas City, Kansas, where he sang in the choir and served as a Deacon.  Fellow choir members would often say he had a voice like Sam Cooke.  He loved a good game of dominos and on slow days at the cleaners could sometimes be found deep in a game with friends who stopped by to pass the time.  He and Geraldine also spent countless hours playing dominos.  They also belonged to a fishing club, KAN-MO Line Dippers for many years.  They loved to fish and during the season after closing the business on Friday, would hook up the boat and camper and head to the lake for an extended weekend.

Pete loved the “Grandbabies” and they loved him.  In his eyes they could do no wrong. 

Geraldine preceded him in death this past June. He was also preceded in death by his parents; one son, Steven Williams, Sr.; and one brother, Thomas Sharpe.  

Pete leaves to cherish his memory one very devoted son, Patrick Williams of the home; four loving daughters, Peggy Robinson (Grover); Carole Kelley (Delbert); Judith Hill-Sims (Edward); Phyliss Smith (Clyde); three sisters, Dorothy Steps; Lucille Johnson; Janice Abernathy; and one brother, William Sharpe; fourteen grandchildren, twenty-eight great grandchildren; seven great-great grandchildren and a host of  nieces, nephews, and other family and friends.

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