Japalene "Jackie" Peterson

Japalene (Jackie) Brewer Peterson, 95, passed away March 26, 2023.  She was born in Sanger, Texas October 29, 1927 but moved to Denton as a young teenager.  She graduated from the Demonstration High School at the then North Texas State Teachers College and worked at the College Cafe which later became Brewer's Restaurant, owned by her parents, J.J. and Ethel Jones Brewer.  It was there that she met and fell in love with Earl Raymond (Pete) Peterson of Iowa who was stationed at Camp Howze in Gainesville, Texas.  Their love story was epic to their daughters, and they loved to hear how she invited him to sit with her in a movie theater when she saw him sitting alone.   They married April 12, 1946.

Jackie and Pete moved to Mason City, Iowa and lived there two years until they and 6 week old Mary Ann moved back to Denton in 1948.  The family of 3 moved to Garland with Kraft Foods in February 1949.  A second daughter Christine completed the family in 1955.  Jackie was a stay-at-home mother who was involved with the girls and their activities.  

When Memorial Hospital of Garland (later named Baylor Scott and White Memorial Hospital - Garland) opened in 1964, she found one of her passions - volunteering.  She was one of the founding members who organized the group of volunteers and conducted tours of the facility prior to its opening day.  She volunteered countless hours throughout the life of the hospital and enjoyed the many dear friends she made.  

Jackie and Pete joined First Presbyterian Church of Garland in 1957 and were faithful members.  She volunteered in the church office for many years.

Jackie retired from Richland College after 17 years as a library clerk.

She was a loving wife, mother and grandmother who will be missed dearly by her family and many friends.

Preceded in death by her parents, husband Pete, sisters Mary Ann Brewer and Betty Johnson, brother-in-law Eric Johnson, nephew Rick Johnson; she is survived by daughters and sons-in-law Mary Ann and Charles Vessel, Christine and Jeff Baker; grandsons Carl Vessel and his wife Michelle; grandsons Alex, Andrew and Adam Baker; great-granddaughter Cailyn Vessel; nephew Larry Johnson and his wife Angie; niece Jerilyn Howell.

The family ask that memorials be made to the Capital Campaign Fund of First Presbyterian Church, Garland.