Peggy Joyce Hodge Matthews
Peggy Joyce Hodge Matthews, as of June 13, 2018 is scheming with Ruby Sears on how to nail a For Sale sign to Jack Wallace's cloud.
Peggy was born September 19, 1930 in Calhoun City, MS. She graduated from Lula Rich High School, where she met the love of her life Gerald ‘Jerry' Matthews, in 1948. Peggy went on to attend professional business college in Lexington Kentucky, then returned to Mississippi to marry Jerry. They were married December 24, 1950 and remained married and in love until Jerry's death in July of 2011. She worked as a civilian book keeper at Keesler Air Force Base while Jerry served in the U.S. Air Force during the Korean conflict.
Peggy moved to Starkville, MS in 1955 for Jerry to attend Mississippi State University. Peggy worked as a legal secretary for McKee and MacDowell law firm (later McAlpin, Wise and Quarles) until 1985. She then worked as an administrative assistant to the Dean of Libraries at Mississippi State for 20 years until her retirement.
Upon her retirement from Mississippi State, Peggy and Jerry traveled around our beautiful country in their RV, sometimes taking their precious granddaughters Kenley and Kara along. They also enjoyed going to Mississippi State home and away football games with Ruby and Barney Sears, visiting all of the SEC stadiums at least once. She also loved spending time with friends and family and her bridge clubs.
Peggy and Jerry were excited to welcome there only grandson Aidan in 2004. After Jerry's death in 2011 crawling around on the floor, playing Matchbox cars, Lego and Pop-the-Pig with Aidan kept her active and sane.
If you knew Peggy Matthews you knew joy. She was loving, kind, generous, and above all one of the funniest people ever.
She is survived by her sister Helen Hodge Ray of Madison, MS, daughter Beverly Ann ‘Sissy' Cunningham (James Myers) of Brandon, MS, son Gerald Adams ‘Boo' Matthews Jr. (Teresa) of Starkville, MS, three grandchildren Kenley Smith (Tyler), Kara Cunningham (Taylor Allbritton), and Aidan Matthews, two great grandchildren Allie and Callum Smith. Peggy, AKA-Mimi, Aunt Peg, and Dorothy, also has countless surrogate children she took under her wing from the Green Oaks gang, MSU Library, and friends of Sissy and Boo.
Visitation is scheduled for Monday, June 18, 2018 from 1:00-3:00 P.M. at First United Methodist Church, with the funeral service immediately following. Dr. Giles Lindley will conduct the service. Burial will be in Oddfellows Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to: First United Methodist Church Missions, 300 W. Lampkin St., Starkville, MS 39759 or to the Oktibbeha County Humane Society, 510 Industrial Park Rd., Starkville, MS 39759.