Janice Vernell Fesperman

Janice Vernell Fesperman, 85, of Brookeland passed away on Monday, August 31, 2026 at her home. A Celebration of Life Service will be held on Saturday, September 12, 2026 at 11:00 a.m. at Lake Rayburn United Methodist Church. The family will greet friends from 10:30 a.m. until 11:00 a.m. at the church.

Vernell was born on October 26, 1940 to Vernon Allison & Mamie Frances Craven in Matador, Texas. She graduated from Baylor University Medical School in Dallas, Texas in 1963. She was a Medical Technologist by training. She and her husband moved to Galveston County in 1963. Vernell was invited to join a laboratory at NASA and had 35 years tenure at her retirement in 2006. On December 13, 1994 she was awarded the Silver Snoopy Award by astronaut David Wolfe for “professionalism, dedication, and outstanding support that greatly enhanced flight safety and mission success” during the space shuttle transportation system program. This award is very special as the Silver Snoopy flew in space.

Vernell was a member of the Pine Needle Quilters Guild, where she won 2 Best of Show awards in Carthage and a Best of Show in Tyler. She is a member of Lake Rayburn United Methodist Church.

Vernell is survived by her husband of 63 years, Gerry Fesperman of Brookeland; daughters Leigh Ann Reimer of Dickinson, Tx and Dana Lynn Salter & husband Jack of Santa Fe, Tx; granddaughters Ashley Ann and Alison Alise Reimer. She is preceded in death by her parents Vernon Allison and Mamie Frances Craven and brother John Arvel Cravel,

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that memorial donation be made to Lake Rayburn United Methodist Church, 349 FM 1007, Brookeland, Tx 75931. Condolences can be posted at www.shultzfuneralhomeofjasper.com, on Facebook at Shultz Funeral Home & Crematory, or Instagram at Shultzfh.