Audrey Faye Judkins Peterson, 89, of Austin, TX, passed away of an extended illness, March 19, 2009, at Cornerstone Hospital, Austin, TX. Faye was born August 24, 1919, in Fort Chadburn, TX, Runnels County, to parents Matilda Greer Shell Judkins and Horace Ellis Judkins. She grew up in Richland Springs, TX. Faye graduated from San Saba High School in 1938, and moved to Austin where she attended Nixon-Clay Commercial College on a scholarship.

She spent the majority of her business career as assistant to the principle at Lamar Junior High School.

Faye married the love of her life, Wilburn Howard “Pete” Peterson November 19, 1941, in Yuma, Arizona,on their way to San Diego, CA, where Pete’s career began. After a brief move to Brownsville, TX, they settled back in Austin.

Faye dedicated her life to her God and church, her husband, and her four children. Held especially close to Pete’s and Faye’s hearts were their grandchildren, on whom they sprinkled little pearls of wisdom, infused with love, laughter, swims in Granddaddy’s pool, and lots of barbeque.

As a member of Memorial United Methodist Church for over 60 years, she devoted countless hours to the Women’s Society of Christian Service (WSCS) and to the Friendship Center, including former chair positions on both. A particular passion with WSCS was the education of young, underprivileged women, part of which she executed through specialized classes, book drives, and women artisan’s craft fairs. Faye's involvement with the Friendship Center included a fervent focus on young mothers and their children through support of a Kindergarten, a clothing donation program, and her fondest endeavor, having them learn to sew by making baby layettes and clothing, and their own clothing. She loved the flower and vegetable garden. She saved seeds from her mother’s peach tree in an old canning jar. Faye loved roses, loved to travel, many places visited through her love of reading. She was forever curious and considered her life as one full of blessings from which sprang her great joy.

Faye was a woman of great faith, hope, charity, purity, and kindness. She is also a woman who strongly believed in gratitude. “Always be grateful.” And she leaves a legacy of beautiful memories and life lessons for those who survive her. It is only appropriate that over the past year, as dementia progressed, “I love you” was what she said the most. She was known to many who cared for her as the “I Love You Lady”, causing a profound effect on those who met her.

Faye was preceded in death by her parents, four brothers, three sisters, and her beloved husband, Pete.

Faye is survived by her sister, Rena Yvelle Willis of San Antonio; brother-in-law, Milton Edward Peterson of San Diego, CA. and his partner, Frank Angel; son, Ronald Ellis Peterson and his wife, Theresa of Austin; son, Wilburn Edward Peterson and his wife, Judy of Houston; daughter, Patricia Faye Peterson of Austin; daughter, Karen Peterson Jellison of Manchaca; thirteen grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren.

Visitation was held Tuesday, March 24, 2009, at 9:00 am, followed by the service at 10:00 am, at Memorial United Methodist Church, 6100 Berkman Drive, Austin, TX, 78723.

Interment followed at Cook-Walden Memorial Hill Cemetery, Pflugerville, TX.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests contributions to Memorial United Methodist Church, in memory of Faye.