Highlights of Life

On Thursday, November 20, 1947 Martha Matthews and Archie Davis welcomed their daughter, Barbara Jean into the world.

Barbara Jean attended school in the Palacios Independent School District.  A great vocalist, she performed professionally with the Valtrons Gospel Singing Group.  During one of the trips, she and the group endured a tragic accident where she was the only survivor. She was left bed ridden for most of her high school career.  She beat the odds and learned to walk again and overcame many of her injuries.  God blessed her to graduate from Palacios High School.  Following high school, she attended Wharton Junior College in Wharton, Texas and later the University of Houston.  Barbara Jean enjoyed working with students and she served as a Junior Achievement Instructor.  

Barbara worked in the corporate sector for 36 years.  She began her career working in the Administration Building at Fort Bend ISD.  She later worked in Risk Management at MI Swaco and at Cooper Industries.

Barbara loved the Lord and happily served in ministry.  She didn’t just send her family to church, but she took them to church (if they wanted to go or not).  She insisted that they were introduced to God and wanted them to have a personal relationship with Jesus.  It was important to her that they had a foundation of faith.  She was a faithful member of Windsor Village United Methodist Church in Houston, Texas.  There she sang in the Women’s Chorus and served with the Diamond & Pearls. 

She supported her family and wanted them to follow their dreams.  She encouraged them, provided for them, and placed them in the best schools.  She took them to the best doctors and dentists and made sure they were always dressed nice. 

In 2010 she moved back to Palacios to care for her mom.  In 2011 she moved to Corinthian Point Village Assisted Living, a retirement community of Windsor Village Church, where she enjoyed putting  on programs for the residents.   With a servant’s heart, she would often volunteer at the library, reading book to children and supporting book drives as needed. 

Barbara Jean married Mircus Corbert and they were blessed to have one daughter, Michelle Corbert.  She later married James Peters and they celebrated twenty-three years of marriage until the Lord called him home.

Barbara was the family archivist, the ‘collector of memories’ throughout the years.  She maintained pictures, videos and other treasures that were dear to her family.  She would often go to the library to research and find information concerning her family tree. 

Barbara earned the love of many through her graceful and nurturing personality.  She was a lover of culture, fashion and music.  Her grandkids could often recall hearing gospel, smooth jazz or sometimes blues playing Saturday mornings in the background as she would clean up the house or cook some of her favorite dishes.  She loved cooking and eating enchiladas, seafood, ‘anything’ turkey, and peaches (Peaches which was her nickname).  An avid reader, she enjoyed Upper Room Devotionals, Christian books and devotionals by Joyce Myers.

Some of the best memories that Barbara’s family reflect on includes her selflessness.  Barbara was always willing to give to others with no expectation.  Additionally, she enjoyed hosting family holidays.  Christmas was a big deal for her.  She normally had a tree full with a lot of presents and listening to Christmas music by Kenny G’s or Nat King Cole in the background.  She would laugh and have fun watching her grandchildren gathering around the fireplace, dressing up in her wigs and ‘preforming’ for her and the other family members… fun times.

On Tuesday, November 26, 2019 the Lord called her home.  Although it hurts to say goodbye for now, we the family, are comforted by the thought that she is with her father and brothers, as well as her husband, James Peters in glory and is now with us as an ancestor.

Those who will reflect on these and other precious memories include her mother, Martha Matthews; daughter: Michelle Corbert; grandchildren: Keith McDaniel, Aliah Marcelle, and Franchelle Lucas; greatgrandchild: Kayden Carter McDaniel; and siblings: Kenneth Davis, Horbert Davis, Betty Kay (Don) Sanford, Vernon (Cindy) Matthews.

What a beautiful life of 72 years of love, ambition and devotion to God and family.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Barbara Jean (Davis) Peters, please visit our floral store.