Letha Yearwood Petersen, 85, of Palacios passed away March 23, 2010. She was born in Edna, TX July 2, 1924 to the late Bethel Thomas and Olive Lucretia Shows Yearwood. She moved to Palacios in 1945 and worked for Central Power & Light for 20 years. In 1952 she married Irvin Petersen. Together they operated Petersen's Restaurant for many years. She was very active in community projects especially those for youth, a member of First Baptist church, was a charter member of the Alapha Club and an honorary member of the Harmonie Club.

She was preceded in death by brothers Carl, Charles & Roy Yearwood, Elroy Walton & sisters Ina Mae Lassiter, Aline Reid, Birdie Granham, Gladys McGill and Ivy Walker.

Survivors include husband Irvin Petersen of Palacios; daughter Tami Lynn Fort & husband Bill of Palacios; son Brent Thomas Petersen & wife Dawn of Nassau Bay, TX; and grandchildren Amber Dale, Karch Petersen, Kyle Petersen, Spencer Fort, Heather Fort and Jennifer Fort.

The family will receive friends and relatives from 5PM to 7PM Thursday at the funeral home. Funeral service will be 10:00 AM Friday, March 26, 2010 at the First Baptist Church in Palacios with Rev. Zach Nicholson officiating. Interment will follow at Danevang Cemetery in Danevang, TX. Pallbearers will be Clint Yearwood, Craig Yearwood, James Yearwood, Terry Oglesby, Michael Glaros and Larry Taylor. Memorials may be made to Houston Hospice El Campo or the First Baptist Church of Palacios.