Dortha Jean Peel

Jean Peel, age 90, of Austin ascended to heaven from her home June 3, 2014. She was born on Park Street in Greenville, TX, to Mr. and Mrs. Charles E. Brownfield, Sr. When Jean was a baby, her dad was transferred to Stamford TX as a cotton classer and cotton and wheat buyer for Anderson and Clayton. It was in Stamford that Jean grew up and graduated from Stamford High School. Jean was the class President all 4 years of high school and cheerleader her senior year.

After two years at Baylor University, on August 18, 1944, Jean married Air Force pilot Herschel (Ike) Peel. While Ike was flying missions over Germany, Jean went back to her parents’ home in Stamford and delivered their one and only child, Charles David Peel.

Ike returned from WWII and took a job working for Jean’s father on his oil rigs in Albany, TX. Jean received a certification to teach and began her long teaching career in Haskell, TX, with Ike coaching the football team. But, he was called back into service, and thus their life in the military was renewed. While Ike was stationed in Alaska on an unaccompanied tour, Jean completed her college education at Hardin Simmons University in Abilene. Jean promised God if He would help her get a teaching certificate, she would teach until she couldn’t any more. And she kept that promise teaching every place they were stationed (MD, OK, England, IL, VA, TX), and after her retirement tutoring children in her home until she was well into her 80’s.

Jean made lifelong friends everywhere they were stationed. In Oklahoma at Tinker AFB she met two special friends Nancy Burke and Karon Gray, who even named her daughter Jean! In 1972 the couple moved to Austin, and Jean was hired to teach at Casis Elementary by Dr. Howard, the principal whom she held in high esteem. It was while teaching at Casis that she made friends for life: parents, students, and colleagues whom she valued and who dearly loved and respected her. She taught at Casis for 27 years until 1999.

Jean said she mastered two things in her life: getting a car out of a mudhole when she was a young wife on a farm; and moving as the wife of an Air Force pilot! Those who knew her would say she mastered the art of giving and caring for others as well as being a strong Christian with a deep faith. She liked to tell that her dad taught her the LOVE OF GOD, and her mother taught her the FEAR OF GOD. Jean attended First Baptist Church of Austin.

She was preceded in death by Ike Peel, their son David and his wife Karen. She is survived by two grandchildren: Michelle Peel Young (Chris) and Michael David Peel, both of Austin, and 3 great grandchildren: John, Charlie, and Tommy Young; one brother Charles E. Brownfield, Jr. (Eunice) of Stamford, and their 5 children. Jean expressed her deepest gratitude to Loretta Shores, her close friend and caregiver, as well as to the medical team: Dr. Kent Beasley, Dr. Richard Helmer, and Dr. David Pohl for their kindness and patience through the years.

Graveside service will be in Stamford, TX at Highland Memorial Cemetery under the direction of Tankersley Funeral Home of Stamford on Saturday, July 5 at 11:00 a.m. with Rev. Scott Whitson officiating.