Valerie "Jo" (Tate) Peacock

In the name of our Lord and Savior, we announce that our beautiful, Christ-filled mother, Valerie “Jo” (Tate) Peacock, age 90, went to Heaven on Wednesday, December 17, 2025. A service celebrating her life will be held at 10:30 a.m. EDT on Tuesday, December 23, 2025, at Blessed Sacrament Catholic Church in Tallahassee, Florida, with burial to follow at Chipola Cemetery in Altha, Florida. She will be laid to rest in the family plot beside her beloved husband, William S. “Buddy” Peacock, behind the church built by her great-grandfather. Memorial contributions may be made to Blessed Sacrament Catholic Church, Pisgah Methodist Church, Tallahassee, Florida; or Altha United Methodist Church, Altha, Florida. Arrangements are entrusted to Bevis Funeral Home, Tallahassee, Florida (850-385-2193). Valerie Jo Tate was born on February 13, 1935, in Akron, Ohio. In her youth, she and her siblings moved to Altha, Florida, her mother’s birthplace, to live with her grandparents—founders of Altha. The Family was deeply rooted pioneers of both West and East (Southern Amelia Island) north Florida regions. She briefly attended Marianna High School, where she met her future husband, William S. “Buddy” Peacock. She later graduated from Altha High School, where she was a Beta Club member, high school majorette, and band member (flute). One of her fondest memories was marching as an Altha High School majorette in the Gubernatorial Parade in Tallahassee, followed by enjoying fresh watermelon served at the Governor’s Mansion. Following high school, she completed a short course at Florida State University and worked at W.T. Edwards Tuberculosis Hospital prior to marriage. Mrs. Peacock was a deeply devoted Christian woman—loving, kind, welcoming, and immensely creative. She was a devoted wife, mother, and friend, known for her brightest eyes, biggest smile, and warm outstretched hand. She possessed the rare gift of making any place feel like HOME! She loved gardening with her dear neighbor, Pat Zontek, and was a highly accomplished and creatively gifted wedding gown designer and seamstress, creating dresses for countless area brides. Her talents extended to Spanish Crewe costumes for Springtime Tallahassee, garments for friends attending Governor’s Mansion events, missionary garments for clergy, seasonal costumes for grandchildren and clothing for family and neighbors. She founded Rose Cottage Creations, where she lovingly made burial gowns for individuals and families in their time of need—an act of quiet compassion that reflected her faith. Mrs. Peacock faithfully served in numerous volunteer roles, including: Chaplain, Order of the Eastern Star, Robert Butler Chapter, Tallahassee Gray Lady, American Red Cross, Certified School Nurse, Kate Sullivan Elementary School Nursery, Sunday School, and Vacation Bible School teacher at First Baptist Church (Monticello) and Parkway Baptist Church (Tallahassee) Volunteer with Altha United Methodist Church, Pisgah Methodist Church, Blessed Sacrament Catholic Church, St. John’s Episcopal Church, St. Peter’s Anglican Cathedral, American Heart Association, Children’s Miracle Network, and the Florida Department of Health (125th), among many others. Alongside her husband, she worked for many years as a bookkeeper, conference and meeting planner for the Florida Peace Officers’ Association, and served as hostess for their annual legislative receptions. The FPOA Board later dedicated the building at 1202 East Park Avenue in their honor. She cherished family, traveling with her husband, meeting people, crafting, baking cakes and cookies for friends, clergy, staff, and family—especially after-school treats—and taking walks in the neighborhood with her daughter and puppies, and on Panama City Beach with family and friends. She received community awards for her volunteer service and, with her husband, proudly sponsored and cheered on Tallahassee Little League baseball teams. Mrs. Peacock came from a distinguished line of genealogists and historians. Her brother, John Arlen Tate, and her mother, Mary Lou Richards Tate DeMaria Blackman, were among the first recipients of Florida Pioneer Certificates. Her husband’s family were also Florida Pioneers (Peacock Bridge). Her father was John Norman Tate of Smithfield, Pennsylvania, later Akron and Uniontown, Ohio. Through her father’s lineage, Mrs. Peacock was the 28th great-granddaughter of Richard I “The Fearless,” Duke of Normandy, whose children were Mauger, Count of Corbeil, Normandy; Robert, Count of Everurx Archbishop of Rouen, Normandy, France; and Emma, wife of King Ethelred II of England. Her lineage includes Alan Rufus (Rolf) of the Norman Conquest, Duke of Richmond, (relative who served with William the Conqueror, King of England), and she is of the Fitzrandolph family, who traveled to the Colonies on the Second Mayflower. Through her mother’s Richards lineage, she was the fourth great-granddaughter of George Richards, of Original Virginia and North Carolina, who fought alongside George Washington at Braddock’s Defeat in 1755 and again with sons during the American Revolution. Her ancestors served in the War of 1812, Florida Indian Wars, and as interpreters and agents for Andrew Jackson, Treaty of Moultrie (Tallahassee, FL), with deep friendship connections to Chief Blount of Blountstown and other Indigenous tribes. Her third great-grandfather, Thomas Cupples Richards, was among the pioneer families of Northwest Florida and died during an Indian attack at Fort Richards (Fort Place). Her second great-grandfather, Rev. John George Richards, built the first Methodist Episcopal Church and named Wewahitchka, serving as elections inspector for the Chipola Precinct of Calhoun County, was clerk of court, and a member of Company A, Second Florida Cavalry. Her great-grandfather, Daniel Thomas Richards, was clerk of the court in Washington County, served in the 6th Infantry Regiment, Company G, during the Civil War and a builder of Moss Hill Church, in Vernon, FL, Chipola Primitive Baptist Church, and Chipola Methodist Church. Her grandfather, Martin L. Richards (Papa) founded Altha, served as mayor, county commissioner, school board member, Sunday School Teacher, and granted land for Altha Methodist Church and Altha School. He served as pharmacist, owned a saw mill, general store in Altha, and mercantile store at Ocheesee Landing (a historic site on Apalachicola River once a significant settlement and county seat). Her grandmother, Lula Mae Richards (Other MaMa) named the town of Altha and served as Altha’s first Postmistress. Another of Mrs. Peacock’s relatives was a circuit rider, pastor to Pisgah Methodist Church, Tallahassee, FL. Mrs. Peacock is survived by her daughter, Valerie L. Peacock of Tallahassee; her son, Dr. William Stanley (Stan) Peacock (wife Lisa Dussia Peacock) of Tallahassee; and grandsons Martin S. Peacock of London, England; Christopher E. Peacock of St. Petersburg, Florida; and Matthew R. Peacock of Charleston, South Carolina. She is also survived by her dearest friend, loving companion, and service puppy Caden. And her fondly remembered beloved previous pups Faith, Cherie, Buddy, Tike, Tuffy, and Cocoa. She is further survived by many cousins, nieces, and nephews among the Peacock, DeMaria, Gause, McDonald, Miller, Griffin, and Hower families. She was preceded in death by her parents; her sister Bonnie Hower of Akron, Ohio; her brother John Arlen Tate of Ohio and Tallahassee; her sister Cherry Ann Tate of Altha; and her brother Anthony (Tony) DeMaria of Altha and Tallahassee. We thank God for blessing us with such a loving, faithful, kind, caring, and beautiful mother and friend—one who read and lived the Holy Bible daily. May she rejoice in Heaven, welcomed with open arms, celebrating Christmas with Christ and those who have gone before her. Forever grateful. Forever LOVED! Proverbs 3:5-6 Trust In The Lord with all thine Heart, and lead not unto thine own understanding, in all thine ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths. John 3:16 For God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten son, that whosoever believeth in him shall not parish but have everlasting life. The Lord’s Prayer - Our Father Our Father which art in Heaven, hallowed be thy name, thy kingdom come, thy will be done, on Earth as it is in Heaven. Give us this day our daily bread, and forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us. Lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil, for thine is the Kingdom, and the Power and the Glory, Now and Forever. Amen. Her favorite Hymns / Songs were How Great Thou Art and Amazing Grace, she sang beautifully! Luke 1:45 NKJV Blessed is she who believed, for there will be a fulfillment of those things which were told her from the Lord.

Tributes

Valerie "Jo" (Tate) Peacock

February 13, 1935 - December 17, 2025