The community is mourning the death of North Carrollton Mayor Pete Misskelley. Misskelley, 74, passed away at his home on Monday, September 3.
Misskelley, who served as the mayor of North Carrollton from 2007 until 2013, was re-elected to the seat in 2017. In addition to his work as an entrepreneur, Misskelley served as the Northern District Justice Court Judge for Carroll County from 1984 until 1992.
In addition, he was warden at the Carroll Montgomery Regional Correctional Facility from 1999 until 2007.
“Pete was a good person,” said Carroll County Chancery Clerk Sugar Mullins. “If you needed something done, he would work with you and take care of it. I thought a lot of him.”
Mullins said Misskelley could always bring out a smile or a laugh in anyone he came in contact with.
“I always liked hearing him tell stories. He was a funny person. He could certainly make you laugh.”
Carrollton Mayor Pam Lee has worked with Misskelley for years in various capacities, however, when she was elected mayor of Carrollton, Misskelley extended his help in any way to help her through the transition.
“After the town elections, Pete called me one day and gave me his cell number,” Lee said. “He offered to answer any questions I had about being mayor or about town government as this was not his ‘first time around.’ He was always considerate that way. I enjoyed the pre-parade line up because we were usually together in the line and could visit while we waited. “
North Carrollton Alderman Ken Strachan thought highly of Misskelley and enjoyed working with him on town business.
“Pete was a dear friend; he loved North Carrollton and Carroll County, and he was dedicated to our community. He had the best personality and was a great mayor, and he was so proud of North Carrollton. I enjoyed serving with him.”
Representative Karl Oliver said, “The magic that exuded from Mayor Misskelley daily was a reflection of his heart. It too was as big as he, and although he spread most of that love on his family, our entire community were recipients of a large dose of that love also. He loved his town and the people he served.”
A graduate of J.Z. George High School, Misskelley was a well-known musician who got his start in the high school band. Throughout his life, he performed often at various functions.
Linda Perkins has known Misskelley and his wife, Cyril Dean, for decades.
“Pete and Cyril Dean have been my friends since junior high school days,” Perkins said. “He’s always been a source of fun, laughter, and encouragement for me. We’ve shared many adventures and antics, and his presence has made them more memorable. I know of no one who is more widely loved. Our loss is heaven’s gain.”
Family was the most important thing in Misskelley’s life, according to Mullins.
“In know his family came first,” Mullins said.
Misskelley is survived by his wife, Cyril Dean Brownlow Misskelley; his daughters, Jennifer Marett, Mandy Whitfield, Patty Beck, and Susanna Mullins; nine grandchildren, Breland Cooper Marett, Joseph Misskelley Whitfield, Bailey Elizabeth Marett, Ava Ahlean Whitfield, Joel Ely Beck, Cooper Charles Beck, Mathis Misskelley Beck, Noah Misskelley Beck, and Susanna Katherine Mullins; and one great-grandson, Briston Hayes McCluskey-Marett.
He was preceded in death by his grandson, Tyler Dean Marett.
Funeral services are scheduled for today at 10 a.m. at Carrollton Baptist Church, with Rev. Ed McDaniel, Rev. Eddie Carpenter, and Rev. Lanny Haley officiating. Burial will follow in Evergreen Cemetery in North Carrollton.
