Mrs. Della Farmer

November 25, 1934 - September 16, 2018

Della Mae “DP” Peten was born on November 25, 1934, to the late Jessie and Geneva Peten in Durham, North Carolina. DP received her formal education through the Durham Public School System where she was a graduate of Hillside High School Class of 1952. DP then relocated to Newark, New Jersey where she was employed at Willowbrook State Hospital in Staten Island, New York. She was a mental health professional until her retirement in 1982. DP then returned to Durham, NC and worked at Duke University Hospital where she retired after 18 years as an Environmental Services Supervisor. DP was a member of Trinity Temple Seventh Day Adventist Church in Newark, NJ and she transferred her membership to Immanuel Temple Seventh Day Adventist Church in Durham in 1982. She was a faithful member who served on the treasury team, and as a deaconess. DP loved baking, family gatherings, her cat Katie, gospel music, and spending time with her family and friends especially her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. DP married the love of her life, William Aaron “Teenie” Farmer in 1971. He was a doting and devoted husband for 30 years until his death in 2001. Her parents Jessie and Geneva Peten, three brothers William ‘’Bill’ Peten, John Peten and Howard ‘Dick’ Peten and two sisters Mildred Hayes and Gwendolyn Corprew also preceded her in death. DP leaves to cherish her memories one daughter Freda Braswell, one son Daniel Edwards and her daughter-in-law, Monica R. Edwards; three sisters: Geneva Jacobs, and Martha McIver of Durham, NC, Barbara Jackson of Los Angeles, CA; five brothers-in-law: Cleophus Edwards (Thelma) of Wilson, NC, Wiley Farmer (Gladys) of Willingboro, NJ, Willie Farmer of Stantonsburg, NC, Edgar Farmer (Hattie) of Newport News, VA, and David Farmer of Hampton, VA. Grandchildren: Maurice Dudley (Shay), Angela Dudley, Courtland McKibbins, Brianna Graves, Adriane Braswell, and Alisia Braswell. Great Grandchildren: Anastasia Dudley, KaLynn Braswell, MaKenzie Braswell, Brayden Braswell, and Ariana Braswell and a host of nephews, nieces, cousins, and friends. Special recognition to some of her beloved friends Wanda Livingston, Oveta Byers, Eugenia Oliphant, and Larry Partee.