Devout Christian Della Peterson Lived a Life of Service Within Local Church and Community

Della Bryan Peterson, a devout Christian and active member of her community, passed away on September 14, 2023, at the age of 85. Born in 1937, her early life was shaped by the challenging times of the Great Depression and World War II, growing up in Victoria Courts with her parents and four older brothers. She attended Brackenridge High School and married her high school sweetheart, Marshall Peterson, shortly after he graduated and enlisted in the US Navy.
As a wife and mother, Della Peterson dedicated much of her life to creating a stable and loving home environment on the Southside of San Antonio. Despite finding the daily chores of cooking less appealing, her exceptional homemaking skills fostered a supportive and nurturing family life for her husband and their seven children. Living in a modest home with a large family, Della focused on instilling care, support, love, and valuable life lessons within its walls.
Her Christian faith was central to her life, particularly her involvement in Harlandale Baptist Church. She and Marshall raised their children within this community and actively participated in its ministries. Della taught in various children’s and youth programs at the church, finding great joy in seeing her own children join her there each week. Her service extended to assisting at First Baptist-San Antonio as a greeter and participating in sorting clothes for the church’s donation closet, demonstrating practical neighbor-love.
Beyond her home and church life, Della Peterson made significant contributions to her community through her work. After raising her family, she became a para-professional in the Harlandale Independent School District, teaching reading skills to migrant students. Her approachable and caring nature, mirroring the support she provided her own children, proved effective in this role. Following her time in the classroom, she transitioned into administrative duties, using computers to schedule classes and manage grades. Surprisingly, she excelled in this new field, advancing to become a computer clerk and data analyst. In her later years, she also enjoyed participating in Bible Study Fellowship, continuing her spiritual journey and fellowship.

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