Peggy Lou Burch Hilton

Peggy grew up in Meridian, Texas and graduated from Meridian High School in 1946. After graduation she married at 17 years old her dancing partner, Lawrence “Sonny” Johnathan Burch, on February 3, 1947, and they began their married life in Meridian, Texas. She went to work the day after her wedding at their café called the “Circle Café” in Meridian. Sonny was the short order cook and Peggy was the waitress. Sonny was in the Naval Reserve after serving in WWII and was re-drafted for the Korean War when Peggy and Sonny moved to California. In 1952, they moved to Beaumont and made South Park their home. Sonny went to work for Mobil Oil and together, they raised 3 children, Barney J. Burch, Sr., Jill Burch Lee and Kent S. Burch. Peggy’s proudest accomplishment was raising her 3 children and always being their biggest supporter. She left a handwritten note stating that her next biggest accomplishment was that she was a successful landlord, sold real estate and Avon, and was able to speak confidently at school board meetings addressing many issues, that created change, such as bon fires, electric scoreboards, dress code and was responsible for implementing that girls were allowed to wear pant suits!

Peggy was an exceptional cook, homemaker, loved to dance, play cards and dominoes, and enjoyed being with her family. She and Sonny loved to jitter bug, many times clearing the dance floor, and were referred to as Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers. She coined many phrases, loved jewelry, shopping and adventures in the car. She was the true matriarch of her family and referred to herself as such! To know her was to love her big heart and huge personality.

Peggy suffered a stroke in 2019 that left her unable to fully care for herself on her own. Her children immediately became her caregivers, alternating a week at a time, to keep her in her home until the day she left us. Their devotion to their mother was truly remarkable, unselfish and time they will truly cherish for the rest of their lives.

Peggy was preceded in death by her husband, Sonny, after 43 years of marriage. Peggy was his caregiver for 11 years while he battled the debilitating and cruel Lou Gehrig’s (ALS) disease. She is also preceded in death by her parents, her second husband, Cecil Hilton, and many longtime friends and family that she is now reunited with and dancing the jitter bug in heaven.

Peggy is survived by her son, Barney J. Burch, Sr. and wife Debbie of Orangefield; daughter, Jill Burch Lee and husband Mike of Atascocita; son Kent S. Burch and girlfriend Maria Davis of Bridge City; granddaughter Courtney Burch Arkeen and husband Cody of Bridge City; granddaughter Rani Lee Bivens and husband Paul of Atascocita; grandson Barney “B.J.” Burch, Jr. and wife Lindsey of Spring; grandson Chase Lee and wife Lauren of Huffman; great grandchildren, Paxton, Channing and Chaplin Arkeen, Baley, Sonny and Sami Bivens, Parker and Ledger Burch, and Hudson and Preslyn Lee; sister, Janey Glass of Clifton and best friends Nell and Jerry Godby of Clifton.

The family would like to give a heartfelt thank you to Best Hospice and their nurses and aides, specifically Pat Owens, Wajika “Shon” Mouton, and Angel Morein, for the exceptional care and love given to Mimi during her last months. Her kids have said it is named Best for a reason! Thank you to her hairdresser, Rena, her nail technician, Angie, who continued to keep her looking her best and even came to her home at the end. The family would also like to thank Cecil Byers, her longtime friend and financial advisor who went above and beyond to make sure she was taken care of and treated her as a mother, not just a client. In fact, Mimi swore that sweet Cecil requested some of her ashes for his garden!

Peggy’s request was to be cremated; however, she left a handwritten list of her honorary pallbearers which are Mike Lee, B.J. Burch, Chase Lee, Cody Arkeen Paul Bivens, Cecil Byers, Larry Breaux, Ricky Melancon and Clyde Hebert. A gathering of family and friends to celebrate her life will be held on March 17, 2023 at 2:00 p.m. at Forest Lawn Funeral Home, 4955 Pine, Beaumont, Texas.