Tcherneshoff, Peter J.

Peter J. Tcherneshoff, former director of missions (DOM) for Friendship and Marshall Baptist associations, died Dec. 30. He was 79.

Tcherneshoff graduated from Howard College (now Samford University) in Birmingham and Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary in Fort Worth, Texas.

He served as student pastor of Cunningham Baptist Church in Texas and pastor of Welsh Neck Baptist Church, Society Hill, S.C.

Tcherneshoff and his wife, Rheta, were appointed as Southern Baptist missionaries and served in Brazil for 17 years. Upon returning from Brazil in 1977, he served as a pastor in Decatur and DOM for Friendship and Marshall associations before his retirement in 1997. At the time of Tcherneshoff’s death, he was a member of Mount Zion Baptist Church, Huntsville.

“Pete Tcherneshoff lived an exemplary life as a missionary in south Brazil, as a husband, a father, a grandfather and an encourager and supporter of missions until the day he died,” said Ron Madison, pastor of Mount Zion Baptist.

Tcherneshoff was preceded in death by his wife of 56 years. He is survived by three sons, one daughter and 10 grandchildren. (TAB)