Elizabeth Ann Peterson Salter passed away Sunday May 3, 2015 at Willis Knighton Medical Center in Shreveport. Funeral Services were held at Siloam Baptist Church in Many on May 5 with the interment following at Union Baptist Church in Belmont. She arrived late, planned by her family and friends because she was never on time any place she went. The service was officiated by her childhood friend and Pastor the Rev. Wilton Anthony and her niece Dr. Shaunda Peterson Johnson. Siloam Baptist Church was filled to capacity with family and friends. There were many interesting “Ann Stories” which put smiles on each face even through the tears. Ann Peterson Salter was born on March 16, 1943 to her parents, Silas Dayton “SD” Peterson and Dollie Miller Peterson. Her childhood began in Florien where she helped on the family farm. Many have commented that she could out work any man including her brothers, Ben D and Billy Joe. Ann was a 1961 graduate of Florien High School where she was active in 4-H, rodeo and a proud member of the Lady Blackcat Basketball team. In 1965, she graduated from nursing school and began her nursing career at Frasier Hospital. This same year she married the love of her life, Jerry Salter of Belmont. This union lasted 43 years. In 1968 Jerry’s work took them overseas where they spent the next 5 years in Argentina and Trinidad. In 1973 they returned to the states and made a home in Belmont. She raised their three daughters, Valeria, Natalie and Nanette much like the way she was reared. Ann taught her girls quitting was not an option, God and Family came first. She was very active in her community and her church. At Union Baptist church she was a Sunday school teacher, choir director, Girls in Action leader, Bible school director, church softball coach and player, as well as the community nurse. Often she was called to check a blood pressure, give a shot, work a wreck or hold someone’s hand when God called them home. At this time Ann’s nursing career was put on hold to raise her girls, the clubs and committee’s she was a part of included Sabine Parish Fair Board, Dixie Youth baseball coach and 4-H Leader. Her involvement in these organizations touched many lives. When Ann’s children were grown, she went back to the nursing career that she loved at Sabine Medical Center. Ann was known for her “Old School Nursing,” pampering her patients and treating them like family. After a few years, her hearing loss caused her to retire from nursing for good. When Ann and Jerry both retired, the moved to Toledo Bend Lake. Ann joined Siloam Baptist Church and gained a new church family. She continued to influence and support the youth in the church, not only financially, but by having gatherings at her lake house. Ann’s family had grown by this time to 10 grandchildren. They were her pride and joy, she would often brag about them to anyone that would listen. One friend quoted “she’s the only grandmother I know who could make it to 10 different locations across the state in 10 hours to watch them play. She is survived by her daughters, Valerie and husband, Dickey Marze, of Lafayette, Natalie Corley of Many and Nanette Bienvenu of Natchitoches; brothers, Ben D. Peterson of Florien and Billy Joe Peterson of Lafayette; sisters, Connie Sandel of Florien and Becky Lehr of Bayou Scie Community; grandchildren, Dayton, Hayden and Mackenzie Marze, Steele Merrit, Slade, Cameron and Kelsee Bienvenu, Laken Ebarb, Presley and Joc Corley along with one great grandchild, Jaxon Cole Marze and a host of nephews and neices. She is preceded in death by her husband, Jerry Salter; parents, SD & Dollie Peterson and nephew Cassel Lehr. Ann lived life to the fullest, she believed that family was everything and everyone was family. Even though she was only 72, she left a legacy that will be known through the years to come. Her daughter’s would like to thank family and friends for their support and prayers during her untimely death and special thanks to Siloam Baptist and Union Baptist Church for their amazing support. In-Lieu of flowers, a charitable donation to the Youth Group at Siloam Baptist Church: 35480 Hwy 191, Many, La. 71449.
July 16, 2026
