Levi Peterson Jr. has been more than just an educator—to many students and individuals, he’s been a source of inspiration, leadership and guidance—and now the community is bidding farewell and good rest, after he passed away Sunday night.
It’s hard to know where to start in describing the life of Peterson, who passed away at the age of 91, as he had a full life not just here in Hopkinsville, and was such a towering figure in this community for so long. Peterson was the first Black administrator at Hopkinsville High School, serving as assistant principal from 1973 until he retired in 1994. That’s where he helped shape and guide so many young people, using kindness and a firm hand where needed, at times calling students to his office, telling them to make it “pronto”.
He also taught at Christian County High School, but his teaching career began before that in South Carolina, before he and the love of his life, Margaret Peterson, moved to Hopkinsville in the 1960’s and he began teaching at Gainesville Elementary School. His beginnings were even more humble, as Peterson has been open about his life journey after dropping out of high school and joining the military at 17-years-old.
He would later earn his GED and pursue a teaching degree at Allen University in South Carolina, where he would meet Margaret, leading to a marriage that outlasted 60-years.
When Peterson was the recipient of the Hal and Bettye Thurmond Award from the Hopkinsville Human Rights Commission in 2021, he thanked his wife for helping him make life into the joy that it was.
Peterson wrote a book about his life experience in 2020 called “The Transformation of a High School Dropout”. At the time, Peterson talked about how education is important, saying that no matter how old you get, you should always keep learning.
In 2024, Peterson was presented with a Key to the City of Hopkinsville and at that presentation, numerous individuals spoke on the impact Peterson had on their lives, and what exactly he means to this community. His presence, beyond just the loss of him, will be felt in the people of this community for many, many years to come.