Joan "Jo" Peery

Jo Peery, 88, of Kilgore, Texas completed her earthly journey Sunday, January 7, 2024, with her beloved family by her side. Services will be held Friday, January 12, 2024 at Two o’clock in the afternoon at the Chapel of Rader Funeral Home in Kilgore, Texas with Revs. Chris Ford and Rev. Tim Mason. Burial will follow at Pirtle Cemetery.

Mrs. Peery was born on January 31, 1935 in Meadows, Illinois. Jo has lived in East Texas since 1972. Jo was a member of Eastview Baptist Church, Rocky Mt. Baptist Church, London Baptist Church and was currently attending Christway Baptist Church in Tyler. Mrs. Peery received her bachelor’s degree from Bob Jones University in Greenville, South Carolina and later received her master’s degree from University of Texas at Tyler. Jo worked as a schoolteacher for 42 years. She taught school at West Rusk ISD, Leverett’s Chapel ISD, Laneville ISD as well as other schools in the east Texas area. Her passion for reading led her to read many Christian books and Bible every day.She was a loving and caring mother, sister, grandmother and great grandmother who will be missed by all that knew her.

In passing Jo was reunited with her parents, Hugh Harry Maurer and Gaynell Freda Rice, husband, William Joseph Peery and her sisters, Eloise Carpenter, Helen Johnstone and Elaine Stewart.

Left to cherish her memory are her sons, Bill Peery and wife Sheri of Longview, Paul Peery and wife Lynn of Kilgore, Mark Peery and wife Stacy of Panama City Beach, Florida, John Peery of Overton, James Peery of Overton, Pat Ahumada of Brownsville, Texas, Jose Benavides of Bastrop and Rich Johnstone and wife Rhonda of Mill Valley, California; sister, Iris Maurer of Maryland; 23 grandchildren, 17 great grandchildren and numerous nieces, nephews, cousins and other loving family members.