Submitted by: Anna Stevens Bright
Coach Ronald “Bubbie” Peters, former teacher and head basketball coach at his Alma Mater, Colleton High School, in Walterboro, South Carolina from 1970-1972, passed away on December 30, 2023. A Celebration of Life Service has been planned in his memory for Saturday, May 25, 2024 at the Ray T. Johnson / CTS Building, 229 Gruber Street in Walterboro at 1:00 p.m. The public is cordially invited to attend. A repast will immediately follow the service. Ronald “Bubbie” Peters, 76, was born on December 28, 1947 in Charleston, SC to the late Nathaniel “Chico” Peters and Charity Smalls Peters. “Bubbie” as he was so affectionately called since he was a child, moved to Walterboro, SC at the age of five and attended St. John’s Catholic Elementary School, along with his uncle and friend, George Malone. He then attended Colleton High School and played basketball throughout his high school career. He was an incredible player, admired by all who came across him. He received a scholarship to Claflin University in Orangeburg, SC and became a star basketball player, along with his brother and best friend in the world, Clint Peters. They were so close that since Clint was older, he waited until Ron got to college so they could become roommates at Claflin. While attending Claflin, they represented the numbers 10 (Clint) and 14 (Bubbie.) Ron graduated from Claflin University in 1970 with a Bachelor's degree in Physical Education. Ron pursued his dream of becoming a professional basketball player. He had the opportunity to try out for the New Orleans Jazz, which was then part of the ABA (American Basketball Association) now known as the NBA. Even though he didn’t make the team with New Orleans following his ABA tryout experience, he was invited to join the Harlem Wizards / Harlem Internationals show team. He traveled all over the world playing with the Wizards and became a professional international basketball player. During his exceptional career, he played with Roscoe Wilson and other star athletes in both Israel and Argentina. People nicknamed him “Spider” because he jumped so high. Ron moved to Bronx, New York to join the team. In 1983 Ron retired from the Harlem Wizards. He then married Beverly Wright, and they had a daughter named Ashley. Ron became a social worker for what was then called BCW, now ACS and worked with Dwight Myers, otherwise known as “Heavy D” before he became famous. In 1987, Ron joined the Department of Education and became a Physical Education teacher, Dean and Varsity Basketball Coach at Wingate High School. Ron’s passion for educating youth and changing the lives of others became evident in his career. He then transferred to Prospect Heights High School in 1995. There he created the first ever Roller Skating Phys Ed class. The students loved this unique form of physical activity. Years later, he made Harry Van Arsdale High School his home until he retired in 2014. After retiring he devoted his entire pastime to his family, both near and far. In 2019 Ron was connected with his oldest daughter Cheryl, and they continued a great relationship until his death. In 2020 during the Covid-19 pandemic, he and daughter Ashley wrote a cookbook entitled The Peters Experience. Ron’s passion has always been cooking for people, especially his family. That was one way he expressed his love, cooking his favorite meals. He was so proud of the cookbook and was able to sell it online. This was a memorable time being at home and able to create a cookbook with his family.
Ron was preceded in death by ex-wife Beverly Wright Peters, his parents, and brothers, Anthony and Lewis Clinton Peters. He leaves to carry on his legacy, daughters Ashley Peters of Brooklyn, NY and Cheryl Hayes of Sumter, SC; his brother Stephen Peters and sister-in-law Angela Peters of Columbia, SC; brother Edward Peters of Portland, OR; and sisters Gale Peters Owens of Greenville, SC and Jennifer Peters Wilson of Myrtle Beach, SC. Further, he leaves to cherish his memories, seven grandchildren and a longtime friend, Shirley Haywood of Brooklyn, NY, a host of other relatives, and students who became family and friends. A memorial service for Coach Peters was held on January 19, 2024 in Brooklyn, New York. Minister Anna Stevens Bright will preside for his Celebration of Life Service on May 25, 2024 in Walterboro.
