Staff

Michael D. Peterson
Manager, Funeral Director and Embalmer
Michael began his career in funeral service in Unicoi County in 1974 serving his apprenticeship under veteran funeral directors Kay Carey and Bill Campbell. He eventually became a stockholder and manager of that firm, which he served for 12 years prior to selling his stock and becoming associated with H.M. Patterson and Sons Funeral Home in Atlanta, Georgia. Mike attended East Tennessee State University and graduated from Kentucky School of Mortuary Science in 1976. He was involved in the initial stages of the building and opening of Valley Funeral Home and has managed the firm since its inception in 1988. He is a member of Calvary Baptist Church and Erwin Kiwanis Club. He has three children Mindy Lynn Peterson Riddle and her husband, Justin; Michael D. Peterson, II and his wife, Kelly Vance Peterson and Aaron Peterson. Michael has one granddaughter, Rilee Grace Peterson.

Amanda V. Edwards
Licensed Funeral Director
Amanda is a proud native of Unicoi County, graduating Unicoi County High School with honors in 2003. She then went to John A. Gupton Mortuary College, in Nashville, TN, where she earned an Associates of Arts Degree in Funeral Service. Amanda is happily married to Lee Edwards, and they are the proud parents of Madilyn McKenzie Edwards. When not working Amanda enjoys being outdoors and Fall is her favorite time of year. She is actively involved in the Erwin Kiwanis Club, Habitat for Humanity of Unicoi County, and Shallow Ford Baptist Church is her church family. Amanda considers it an honor to serve the families of Unicoi County, and Valley Funeral Home considers it a privilege to have such a dedicated person.

Michael D. Peterson, II
Family Service Counselor
Michael is a 2004 graduate of Unicoi County High School and is the son of Valley Funeral Home Manager, Mike Peterson. He has been affiliated as a part-time associate with Valley Funeral Home since elementary school and currently serves as a family service counselor at Evergreen Cemetery. He is a member of Good Shepherd Baptist Church and is married to Kelly Vance Peterson. They have one daughter, Rilee Grace Peterson.

John Edwards
Funeral Assistant
John is a 1987 graduate of Unicoi County High School, and attended East Tennessee State University. He is married to Lori Hire-Edwards and they have one son, James Ryan. John is an Ordained Bishop in the Church of God, having served in many areas of pastoral and pulpit ministry across the state of Tennessee since 1986, and was proud to be selected to come home to serve as Senior Pastor at Erwin Church of God in 2007. John’s experience in funeral service started here in Erwin in 1988, and continued in several areas of the state as he traveled, ministering the Gospel. “I am honored to extend my ministry to help serve the people of Unicoi County, here at Valley Funeral Home,” John says, “it is a great opportunity to show the love of Christ to families in some of their darkest hours, offering a helping hand, a compassionate ear, and a prayerful heart.” John joined the Valley Funeral Home family in January, 2010.

Brenda Gouge
Office Manager