Peggy Bates

On early Monday morning, September 18, 2017, Peggy Jeanne Bates (Jackson) died peacefully in her sleep at home.

Peggy was born September 21, 1932, in Temple, Texas, to Jewel D. Jackson, and Virginia M. Jackson. Growing up, she lived with her family in Temple, Burkburnett, Weslaco, and Irving, Texas. She graduated from Irving High School in 1949, after which she attended North Texas State University for two years. She married her high school sweetheart, James M. Bates, June 20, 1952, and they started their family in Irving, eventually having eight children.

Although Peggy was talented and had a love for art, music and crafts, the only thing she felt she was really good at, and what mattered most to her in life, was being a mother. She devoted herself full-time to raising her children, and was very active as a volunteer at their elementary school, every year serving as a room mother for one of the children’s classrooms, and she put in many tireless hours serving her church, St Luke Catholic Church in Irving. She and Jim made it a priority that the children had a Catholic education, and that God was a conscious daily presence in their home. She was a den mother for many years in the Cub Scouts, as well as a leader in the Brownies and Girl Scouts.

In 1966, the family moved to Houston, where she continued her volunteer work in school and scouting over the next several years. Also during this time, she furthered her interest in choral music, and was active in her church choir and various community choral groups. As the children grew older, she entered the work force, assisting in the office of the family plumbing business, and later started a career in social services that she continued until her retirement at age 65. Although Peggy’s marriage to Jim ended after 37 years, they maintained a friendly cooperative relationship.

She spent her later years in various Texas communities, including Cleveland, Wharton, Nacogdoches, Lufkin, and Austin, with her close friend and partner, Kathy Barbour. This past year, she lived at Affinity at Wells Branch, in Austin.

Peggy is preceded in death by her parents, Jewel D. Jackson and Virginia M. Jackson, grandchildren Levi Powell, Matthew Banks, Melissa Banks, and daughter-in-law, Susan Bates.

She is survived by her sister Ellen Overstreet, and brother, Jack Jackson, children, Stephen (Laura), Jeanne (Charles Milligan), Michael, Paul, Debbie, Mary (Scott Ireland), Carol, Patrick (Sharon), 14 grandchildren, two great-grandchildren and numerous nieces and nephews.

Peggy had a loving heart and was always quick to reach out to others, particular any who appeared downtrodden or in need. She was loved by all who knew her, and we will miss her greatly!