Margaret Peggy Ann Davis Pelham

Margaret was born on September 30, 1937 in Marysville, Kansas and was the daughter of Eldon and Margaret (Butler) Davis. She was known by family and friends as Peggy and was raised in Marysville, where she lived, married and gave birth to four children. In 1967 at the age of 30, she moved to Portland, Oregon with her husband and four young children.

Peggy was an active participant at her high school. She was a member of the Kay-tees, Class Treasurer, Pep Club Squad Leader, Basketball Queen Attendant, Senior Football Queen, Parliamentarian, and an active member of the student council and yearbook staff. In 1954 at age 17 Peggy was selected for and graduated from Girls State at the University of Kansas in Lawrence. When asked her life goal as a senior in high school, she responded that she’d like to move to a big city and become an exceptional secretary. Peggy did just that, first as a young woman in 1956 at the Wichita McConnell Air force Base as Clerk-Stenographer in the Public Information Branch then on to the Massachusetts Life Ins. Company in Lincoln, Nebraska. Moving back to Marysville she married and had her children. When the family moved to Oregon, she dedicated herself to Glenfair Elementary School as Head Secretary for 26 years. She retired in 1998, well loved by staff and school children alike.

On August 22, 1957, Margaret married Ronald E. Pelham in Marysville, Kansas. Together they had four children. Ron describes Peggy as having been a perfect wife, compassionate and loving. As a mother she was mellow and forgiving, always patient with her children. Peggy enjoyed being outdoors, often hiking with her family.

Margaret is survived by her husband, Ronald E. Pelham, of Troutdale; sons Jace Matthew of Portland, OR and Todd Mitchell of Vancouver, WA; daughters, Stacy Pelham-Hooker and husband Bill of Vancouver, WA, and Roni Jean Haga and husband Michael of Damascus, OR; her brother, Eldon Davis of Blue Rapids, KS; nieces Diane Davis, Karen Swearingen, and Susan Thompson; and nephews Gerald Wayne Davis Jr. and Wes Pelham. Her mother, father, and brother, Gerald Wayne Davis Sr., and nephew Bruce Davis preceded her in death.

A funeral service will be held on Wednesday, February 1, 2012 at 12:00 pm at Bateman Carroll Funeral Home in Gresham, Oregon. Visitation will be held on Monday, January 30th and Tuesday, January 31st from 10:00 am -5:00 pm also at Bateman Carroll. Private interment will take place at Willamette National Cemetery. Because she loved children and animals, contributions may be made in memory of Peggy to your local Head Start Program or the ASPCA.