Peggy Ruth Young

Peggy was born on January 15, 1936 in Shallowater, Texas to the late J.L. and Ethel E. (Risinger) Dawson. She was one of five children and the only girl. She grew up in Lubbock where she attended Lubbock High School. She met the love of her life, Jarrell Young, on a school bus in 1950. Peggy was named FFA sweetheart for Lubbock High the year Jarrell was FFA president.

On July 28, 1953, she married her high school sweetheart, Jarrell. Jarrell and Peggy had two children, Rodney Jarrell Young, Jr. and Linda Sue Young. After many years in Lubbock, they moved to Abilene, following her husband’s career. Peggy was a devoted homemaker, nurturing and caring for others. She was a member of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church in Lubbock and Aldersgate United Methodist Church in Abilene before joining Wylie United Methodist Church in 2006. She and Jarrell were active within their church family and community. They were committed volunteers for Meals on Wheels and named as Volunteers of the Month for May 2007. They volunteered as adult sponsors for several youth mission trips, including a 1995 flood relief trip to Missouri. When Jarrell joined Gideons International in 2005, Peggy joined the auxiliary, where she held numerous leadership positions including President. It became her passion to get Bibles into the hands of those who needed them. She enjoyed crossword puzzles and word games, and following the adventures of The Pioneer Woman and Chip and Joanna Gaines. She was a captivating storyteller, and applied a disarming sense of humor to tales of life’s challenges. She will be remembered for strong faith, abundant love and loyalty and her love of the color purple.

She was preceded in death by her beloved husband, R. Jarrell Young, Sr.; her parents, J.L. and Ethel Dawson; and her brothers Mervin, John, Jerry and Jess Dawson.

She is survived by: her son Rodney Young, Jr. and wife Rhonda; her daughter Linda Young; granddaughters Robyn Young Sharp and husband John Sharp, and Rebekah Young Raux-Sumrall and husband Patrick Sumrall; great-grandchildren Luke Sharp, Scarlett Sharp, Riley Raux, Owen Sumrall, and Parker Kate Sumrall; and her niece Debra Crosby and great-niece Jordan Crosby.

The family wishes to thank Dr. Anton Melnyk for his years of care and Hospice of the Big Country for their recent care and dedication.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Gideons International, PO Box 2882, Abilene, TX 79604.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.elliott-hamil.com for the Young family.