Neva Joyce Peterson

Neva Joyce Peterson

1935-2024

Neva Joyce Peterson, 88, of Edmond, Oklahoma, passed away on February 7, 2024. Neva Joyce Peterson (nee Hawkins) was the 3rd of 8 children of Jesse and Lucille Hawkins.  She grew up on the family farm outside of Frederick, OK.  Born December 3, 1935, she was one of the youngest and last to attend the South Deep Red School one-room schoolhouse before it closed in 1943, and then attended schools in Frederick, graduating from Frederick High School in 1953.  

She first met her husband-to-be, Jack, on a double-date, afterwards he told his friend “That’s the girl I’m going to marry.”  They were married the same year on May 13, 1952, at the First Baptist Church in Cache, OK.  Jack joined the Navy later that year.  Their 1st child, Jack Jr. was born April 30, 1953, then Shelby Diane on January 16, 1956, and Stacy Lynn on January 16, 1959. 

Most of their 20-year Navy life was stationed in Washington, D.C., also living in Manassas, VA, Gainesville, VA, Alameda, CA, Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, then San Diego, CA and retirement from the Navy.  While Jack was deployed overseas early in his Navy career during both the Korea and Vietnam Wars, Neva was both mom and dad for their children, keeping the home fires burning.

While in San Diego, Neva obtained her cosmetology license and was a hairdresser for ~12 years at a San Diego Salon.  She was a talented hairdresser, at one time recruited by Vidal Sassoon for his Los Angeles salon, which she turned down because the family loved living in San Diego. Also, while in San Diego, Jack joined the Post Office, finished his business degree, and then became postmaster of Holbrook, AZ and then Cortez, CO. 

They returned to live in Oklahoma after retirement from the Postal Service, living in the same house in Edmond for the last 35 years.

Neva and Jack made many life-long friends in their travels, keeping in touch over the years with phone calls, cards, and visits.  After retirement they enjoyed frequent road trips to Branson, MO, New Orleans, LA, San Antonio TX, Laughlin, NV, Albuquerque, NM, and San Diego, CA.  They loved their Caribbean cruises.  They made an annual trip to New Orleans on Neva’s birthday to celebrate at Pat O’Brien’s speakeasy in the French Quarter (est. 12/03/33). After Hurricane Katrina, Pat O’Brien’s on the San Antonio Riverwalk was the new birthday destination.  They enjoyed their travels, stopping at favorite spots along the way, Filippi’s Restaurant was always their first stop when visiting San Diego, CA. 

Neva kept an immaculate household and loved decorating her home.  She had a great sense of style and was a wonderful cook, often making special requests for children and grandchildren’s favorites.  She loved collecting giraffes in all forms (statues, stuffed, wall art, etc.).  Her children, grandchildren and friends added to her sizable collection over the years.

Neva had a special connection to animals, caring for her pets like family. The first family dog was Susy who was brought home by son Jack when the family was stationed in Cuba.  Then came Hey Guy, Brandy and Sam, Megan, and now Zoe.

Neva had a wonderful sense of humor and was a vibrant storyteller, often teaming with husband Jack to the delight of family and friends with interesting and often hilarious stories of their families, lives, and travels. Neva could make you laugh and teach you a lesson at the same time.

Jack and Neva opened their hearts and home over the years to each of their grandchildren to spend school breaks and summer vacations, sometimes in groups, creating a close unbreakable bond. Their grandchildren still reminisce about their time with their Grandma and Grandpa Peterson.  They were especially close with their grandson, Seth who began living with them before his freshman year at North High School in Edmond.

Neva is preceded in death by her parents; Jesse Raymond Hawkins, and Hattie Lucille (Norrell) Hawkins, daughter, Shelby Diane Peterson, brother, Kenneth Wayne Hawkins, and sisters; Lois Jean Hawkins, and Frances Sue Hawkins.

She leaves to cherish her memory, husband, Jack Lee Peterson, children, Jack Lee Peterson, Jr. and spouse, Vicky, of Idabel, Oklahoma, and Stacy Lynn Peterson of Escondido, California, siblings, Wanda L. North, Robert Dale Hawkins and spouse, Janet, Roberta Gayle Hawkins and spouse, Mike, and William Douglas Hawkins and spouse, Leanne, grandchildren, Daniel Peterson and spouse, Jennifer, Joshua Peterson and spouse, Candice, Jessica Romeo and spouse, Ty Mullen, Seth Rushin and spouse, Steffanie, Mikaela Peterson, Michael Romeo and spouse, Sherida, Jacob Peterson, and Katie Lewis, eighteen great grandchildren and many beloved nieces, nephews, and cousins.

A Celebration of Neva’s Life will be held at 10:00 AM, on Tuesday, February 20, 2024, at Matthews Funeral Home in Edmond, Oklahoma. Interment will be held at 3:00 PM, at Frederick Cemetery in Frederick, Oklahoma the same day.