Kristin Lenore Kay Peters of Celina, Texas, went home to be with her Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, on July 15, 2026, at the age of 81. She was born to Robert Lee Kay Jr. and Helen Belle Wood.
Kristin married the love of her life, Joseph David Peters, on August 31, 1963. Together they built a life and family centered on faith, love, and serving others. She was a faithful member of First McKinney Church and also cherished her friends at Rhea's Mill Baptist Church. She faithfully participated in multiple Bible study groups throughout the years, where she built deep friendships and continued to grow in her faith.
Kristin earned her bachelor's degree from Stephen F. Austin State University and her master's degree from Wichita State University. She devoted more than 40 years to teaching in multiple school districts, with the majority of her career spent at McKinney ISD. She was known as an exceptional teacher who loved each of her students individually. She recognized their unique needs and continually went above and beyond to encourage, support, and care for every child entrusted to her. To so many, she was far more than a teacher. She was a safe place and someone who truly believed every child mattered.
Kristin is survived by her daughter, Paula Kay Peters Culbreath and husband, Michael, of McKinney, Texas; son, Brian Peters and wife, Tricia, of McKinney, Texas; granddaughter, London Maxwell and her husband, Bryce, of Corinth, Texas; grandson, Ryder Culbreath of McKinney, Texas; and granddaughter, Ava Peters of McKinney, Texas.
She was preceded in death by her parents; her beloved husband, Joseph David Peters; and her sister, Karen Townsend.
Kristin's faith and her family were the foundation of her life. Known simply as "Mamaw," she adored her grandchildren and treasured every opportunity to be with them. If there was a sporting event, school program, meet-the-teacher night, award ceremony, musical, graduation, or special milestone, she was there. It did not matter whether it was just down the road or across the country. She was their biggest fan, their loudest cheerleader, and one of their greatest blessings.
She was an active member of her Heartstrings Sisters Sunday School class and loved the friendships and encouragement she found there. She loved traveling whenever she had the opportunity, creating treasured family memories on trips to Hawaii, Yellowstone National Park, where she even hiked 12 miles in one day and happily slept in a tent with the family, cruises, swimming with dolphins in the Bahamas, Colorado, Florida, floating down rivers, and countless other adventures.
Her friendships were also incredibly important to her. She treasured doing anything with friends and was active in countless groups, including luncheon clubs, book clubs, and many other activities that brought people together. She loved her girls' trips, including travels to Israel, Italy, Branson, and many other destinations that were filled with laughter, encouragement, and lifelong memories.
Kristin also adored her beloved cat, Kitty Kitty. She enjoyed playing Bridge, Bunko, and Rummikub, solving Sudoku puzzles, gardening, and taking meticulous care of her yard. Even at 81 years old, she faithfully walked two miles every day, reflecting the energy, determination, and joy with which she embraced life.
Above all, Kristin loved Jesus, and that love overflowed into the way she lived each day. She had a servant's heart, a generous spirit, an amazing positive attitude, a joyful perspective in all situations, and an incredible gift for making people feel seen, loved, and valued. Whether you were family, a lifelong friend, a student, or someone she had just met, she had a way of making you feel like you mattered. She never met a stranger, and her kindness left a lasting impression on everyone fortunate enough to know her. While our hearts are broken and we will miss her more than words can express, we rejoice knowing she is whole again and in the presence of her Savior, Jesus Christ, whom she faithfully loved and served. Her legacy of faith, unconditional love, kindness, encouragement, and unwavering devotion to her family will continue to live on in the countless lives she touched.
A funeral service will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Tuesday, July 21, 2026, at Turrentine-Jackson-Morrow Funeral Home, 2525 N. Central Expressway, Allen, Texas 75013. The service will also be livestreamed at https://celebrationoflife.tv/.
Following the service, a procession will travel to Walnut Grove Cemetery in Prosper, Texas.
The family will receive friends during a visitation from 4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. on Monday, July 20, 2026, at the funeral home.