Shirley Joan Peters' Obituary
Shirley Joan Peters passed away quietly in her sleep on February 18, 2016, in Longview following a brief illness. She was born on September 10, 1929, in Tyler, Texas. Shirley was the only daughter of Clifford and Marceliete Webb of Tyler. During WWII as a teenager, Shirley was selected to be a featured dancer in the USO’s “Pinups and Peanuts Revue” at Camp Fannin, Texas. She graduated from John Tyler High School in 1947 and attended Tyler Business College. She married James L. (Jimmy) Peters of Tyler on October 12, 1947, and, following a honeymoon in Hot Springs, Arkansas, the couple made Longview their home. Shirley and Jimmy raised a family and loved to cook and travel. Some of their favorite memories were trips with Dorsey and LaWeeta Erwin to Seattle, San Francisco, New Orleans and Hawaii, and their trip to Paris and Rome. Shirley was an active member of the Lady Elks Club for many years. She performed in the choruses of several Longview Lion’s Club summer musicals in the 1950s and 60s, including Oklahoma, South Pacific and Brigadoon. She loved ballroom dancing, interior decorating, cooking, and all things that are beautiful. She was an avid and expert bridge player, and she played weekly in two Longview bridge clubs until just before her death. “Mamoo,” as her grand children and great grandchildren affectionately called her, was also an expert cook who was famous for hosting family and friends on Sundays. She was admired for her grace, incredible pasta dishes, soul food and desserts, especially for her chocolate and coconut pies. Her beloved husband, Jimmy, preceded her in death. She was a member of St. Mary’s Catholic Church. She is survived by two sons, Steven James Peters and wife, Sandy, of Montevallo, Alabama; Randall James Peters and wife, Gina, of Longview; Charlotte Peters Griffith and husband, Robby, of Longview; 10 grandchildren, James and Matthew Peters; Scott, Mark, Chris and Keith Peters; Parker Price; Veronica Rountree; Mitch Bozman, and Emily Scott, and 12 great grandchildren; special friends, dear cousins and beloved bridge partners. Pallbearers include: James and Matthew Peters; Scott, Mark, Chris and Keith Peters; Parker Price; and Mitch Bozman. Visitation is Friday, 6:00 p.m. Services are Saturday, 11:00 a.m. at Rader Funeral Home.
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