Mary Lee Peten, 87, of Lakewood New Jersey passed away on October 22, 2016 in Ocean Medical Center, Brick, New Jersey.  She was born in Wilson, North Carolina on April 21, 1929 to Warren and Clara Ethridge.

Mary attended school in Johnson County, North Carolina before moving to Freehold, New Jersey.  She lived in Freehold for many years, then relocated to Lakewood, New Jersey in 1984 where she resided for the rest of her life.

She was employed at the Rug Mill in Freehold, New Jersey for many years.  Mary was also employed at DTP, formerly known as PACO, for years before she retired.  She adored her pet cats, and she enjoyed sewing, gardening, teaching her grandchildren, nieces, and nephews how to fish and cook, displaying her hats, taking photos of her family, watching baseball, shopping at the flea market with her sister, and of course, going to house of the Lord to hear the word.

Mary was predeceased by her parents, Warren and Clara Ethridge; sister, Lucy Ethridge; and 8 brothers, Roosevelt, Leroy, Jacob, Grady, Warren, Adolphus, George and James.

She is survived by her son, Charles (Shirlene) Peten of Lakewood, New Jersey; daughter, Clara Peten of Asbury Park, New Jersey; brother, Otis Ethridge of Wendell, North Carolina; 2 sisters, Annie Nicholson and Alberta Williamson both of Lakewood, New Jersey; sister in law, Sylvia Ethridge; brother in law, Mack Williamson, Sr.; 10 grandchildren, Imeerah, Lionel, Jamal, Rashon, Lonnel, Latrice, Lanea, Tonya, Nicole and Daniel; 35 great grandchildren; 1 god daughter, Melody Shuler of North Carolina; 3 godsons, Jerald Ethridge of Washington, DC, Anthony Blackwell of Toms River, New Jersey, and Warren Nicholson of Brick, New Jersey; and a host of nieces, nephews and friends.