Diana Payne Peterson

MISSION/RIO GRANDE CITY - Diana Rose Payne Peterson, 74, went to be with her Lord and Savior on Saturday, September 24, 2016.
Diana was born on August 31, 1942, at Fort Ringgold in Rio Grande City, Texas, to Henry Chesley Payne and Eleanor E. Dahl. She and her sister Evelyn grew up in Rio Grande City and Norristown, Pennsylvania.
Known for her entertaining sense of humor, she was quite shy in her youth. Yet even as a child, she had a facetious streak that would sometimes emerge from behind those beautiful blue eyes and innocent smile. Throughout her life, she maintained a sweet and genuine demeanor that won the trust and hearts of her friends. She loved the Lord, and she was ever faithful. Her signature gift of joy, laughter, and joking around will never be forgotten.
After graduating from Rio Grande City High School in 1960 and working at Tide Chemical in Edinburg, Texas, she was having coffee with a friend at Don Diego's Cafe in Edinburg when Bob Peterson and Milton Mead walked in - Milton was impressed with Diana's friend and invited her out on a date, so Bob invited Diana to go with them. Fast forward one year, Diana married Robert Arvid Peterson, the love of her life, on May 6, 1967 at First Baptist Church in Edinburg, Texas. Diana earned her B.A. from Pan American University in 1973.
Diana and Bob raised their two daughters, DeAnn Aleen and Adri Ann in Rio Grande City. A woman of faith and the heart of her family, Diana shaped her girls' spirituality by leading a Christ-centered life. She was among the charter members of St. John United Methodist Church in Rio Grande City, where she taught Sunday School and was president of United Methodist Women. She loved reading the Bible and made its teaching the center of her life. Diana loved to read, write, sew, play dominoes, fuss over her kids & hubby, brag on her kids & hubby, and just enjoyed life to its fullest. Diana adored her three grandsons, and they were her pride and joy.
After the couple's retirement in 2014, they built a home in League City, Texas, to be closer to their grandsons.
Diana was very active in her community, serving as a volunteer at McAllen Medical Hospital in McAllen and Starr County Memorial Hospital in Rio Grande City. She served on the Parent Teacher Organization at Immaculate Conception School and was a member of the Band Boosters with Rio Grande City High School. She was a community volunteer through her memberships with the GFWC Florence J. Scott Study Club and the Texas Delta Theta Master of Beta Sigma Phi. She was ever faithful to Rio Grande City High School and continued her high school friendships as a member of the Golden Rattlers.
Diana is survived by her loving husband Robert A. Peterson, daughters DeAnn (Jonathan) Cohrs and Adri (Ronald) Smith, grandsons Andrew, Preston and Benjamin Smith, sister Evelyn (Rolando) Alaniz, numerous nieces and nephews, and sisters-in-law Tissa (Jamesaœ) Peterson and Karen (Davidaœ) Peterson. She is preceded in death by her parents.
Visitation for friends and family is at Sanchez Funeral Home, 301 E 2nd Street, Rio Grande City, Texas 78582, on Monday, September 26, 2016, from 2-9pm, with a Prayer Service at 7pm, led by Janet West, Associate Pastor of Our Savior Lutheran Church - McAllen and a eulogy by Diana's grade school and lifelong friend, Ernestina Trevino. Funeral services will be at St. John United Methodist Church, 109 N FM 3167, Rio Grande City, Texas 78582, on Tuesday, September 27, 2016, at 11am, and will be presided over by Pastor Emerson Villegas and Pastor Bob Alderman, and eulogies by longtime friends Joyce Obst and Arnoldo Zarate. Pallbearers include her nephews Robert R. Alaniz, James Kent Peterson, Xavier E. Perez, Lance A. Peterson, Guy E. Peterson, Daren R. Peterson, Jason E. Perez and grandsons Andrew and Preston Smith. Honorary pallbearers are Rolando Alaniz, Roel R. Smith, Richard N. Cohrs, Mike Alaniz, John Cooksey, Ryan C. Peterson, Ricky Ingram and Paul Obst. Burial will follow at St. John Cemetery.
Arrangements are, under the direction of Sanchez Funeral Home at (956) 487-2525.
Memorial donations can be made to Our Savior Lutheran Church in McAllen, Texas, or St. John United Methodist Church in Rio Grande City, Texas.
The family is deeply grateful for the outpouring of love, prayers and support from so many.

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