Patricia Ann (Randall) Peek

Patricia was born in Pendleton, Madison County, Indiana on November 4, 1923 to John A. and Emma Coahran Randall. She attended public school in Indiana and met Charles A. Peek the love of her life and future husband in the 8th grade. She and Charles graduated from Pendleton High School, both with honors, in 1941. Patricia continued to Earlham College in Richmond, Indiana and Charles enrolled in the University of Chicago in the fall of 1941. Charles enlisted in the U. S. Marine Corps in 1942 and served throughout World War II. Patricia was an honors student, a prolific writer, and served as the editor of the college newspaper and graduated with a degree in English from Earlham in 1945.

She and Charles were wed on April 20, 1946 in Anderson, Indiana and were married for almost 55 years, until Charles’ death in March 2001. The first years of their marriage saw several moves, including a brief stint in Corpus Christi, Texas then to Rolla, Missouri where Charles completed his degree at the Missouri School of Mines. Next, they settled in Tyler, Texas then moved to Anaheim, California, then to Fort Worth, Texas and finally to Midland in 1954 where they lived for the rest of their lives. Their marriage was blessed with six children. Beatrice Ann “B’Ann”, Charles, Jr., Johnny, Susan, and twins Robert (Rob) and William (Bill).

Patricia was an avid reader and instilled a deep love of books and learning in her children. She encouraged exploration and curiosity, especially of the world of nature. She welcomed all kinds of pets, including cats, dogs, a horse, chickens, rabbits, fish, and guinea pigs along with tortoises, horned toads, tadpoles, lizards, snakes, and a 5-foot-long iguana. In addition to her role as full time mother, homemaker and part time amateur zookeeper, Patricia established and led Randallane Kennels, raising and showing award winning collies. She and Charles were founding members of the West Texas Collie Kennel Club.

Patricia was a faithful member of St. Luke’s United Methodist Church for 65 years. She was a much beloved pre-school Sunday School and Vacation Bible School teacher for decades, affectionately known as “Mrs. Pink”. She completed graduate studies at the Iliff School of Theology in Denver, Colorado and was a trainer of United Methodist early childhood educators for many years. In 1979 she led the committee to establish the Child Development Center at St. Luke’s UMC and served as the founding director.

Patricia never lost her love of writing and was a published poet. She was a leader in the Permian Basin Poetry Society for many years and a lifetime member of the Poetry Society of Texas. She honed her craft with writing courses at Midland College and received recognition for her work, including the prestigious Hilda Simmons Levitt Poetry Award and Poetry Society of Texas awards.

Along with her numerous and eclectic accomplishments, Patricia was a gold standard grandmother. She was the much loved “Grandma Pat” to her thirteen grandchildren - Sarah Hodgson, Abby Tudor, Jason Hosaka, Jasmyn Peek, Dustin Hoff, Miranda Hoff, Madeline Hoff, Joshua Peek, Billy Peek, Christopher Peek, Daniel Peek, James Peek, and Anna Patricia Peek. Patricia hosted groups of cousins each summer, allowing them to eat sugar laden cereals, coffee ice cream, and other “forbidden fruit” for any meal of the day. She offered enticing opportunities to earn money for completing household chores and rewarded work with heavily subsidized trips to Toys R Us and Barnes & Noble. She read endless stories, spent hours supervising swimming at the pool, and encouraged hunting for bugs, rocks, butterflies, and lizards.

Patricia is survived by her children, Beatrice Ann “B’Ann” Peek (Tom Tudor) of Colorado Springs, Colorado, Charles A. Peek, Jr. (Jane) of Lubbock, Texas, Susan Hoff (Steve) of Richardson, Texas, Rob Peek (Shirley) of Hutto, Texas, and Bill Peek (Amy) of Liberty Hill, Texas, and twelve grandchildren and ten great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her parents and brothers John Randall, Jr. and William Randall, her husband, her son John “Johnny” Randall Peek, and granddaughter Jasmyn Peek.

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, memorial services will be planned for a later time. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that you consider making a memorial donation in Patricia’s honor to St. Luke’s United Methodist Church Child Development Center -www.stlukesumcmidland.org, the Sibley Nature Center -www.sibleynaturecenter.org, or the Permian Basin Poetry Society -www.poetrysocietyoftexas.org.

The family wishes to thank Hospice of Midland, Dr. Summer Merritt, and Julie Rodriguez, and the Accent Health Care team: Bob Anglin and Rebecca Montez, and Patricia’s kind, compassionate, loving, and expert caregivers: Toywanda Hubbard, Lovie Shelton, Yolanda Olivas, Caroline O’Neal, and most especially Chief Angel in Charge Mary Walker.