Peggie W. Fickle, age 89, passed away at her home in Lakesite, Tennessee after a lengthy illness on Thursday, July 21, 2022. Peggie was the daughter of the late John and Margaret Waterhouse of Clearwater, Florida. Peggie and her husband Ralph recently celebrated their 71st anniversary on July 20, 2022.
Peggie was born in Chickamauga, Georgia and raised in East Ridge, Tennessee. She was one of the first members of the East Ridge Church of Christ and was married there to Ralph, where they started their life together. They moved their membership to Hixson Church of Christ, now known as Clear Creek Church of Christ, after their move to Lakesite.
Peggie’s business career began with Interstate Life and Accident Company in Chattanooga. She was later employed with Dr. Bruce Backer at his dentistry practice in East Ridge and Dr. Ellis and Dr. Sherrill at their medical practice office in Rossville, Georgia. She retired as the office manager with Tommy Marlin Financial Services in Hixson, Tennessee. Peggie worked many years after her retirement for the Hamilton County Tennessee Elections with her husband Ralph in the Town Hall in Lakesite. She was a member of the Lakesite Improvement Club.
Peggie attended local schools in Chattanooga, Tennessee and graduated from Central High School. She was an avid book reader, often frequenting the Chattanooga Library. Her most admired Christmas gift EVER was her Amazon Kindle. Peg, as her husband called her, enjoyed traveling for many years with Ralph and friends from Highland Park, East Brainerd, St. Elmo, East Ridge, and Knoxville. She attended many Tennessee Volunteer football games from Knoxville to California to Arizona to Miami to Baton Rouge and to Las Vegas, where she proudly returned home with a fresh $100 bill won at the casino.
Peggie loved her two daughters Gail Bales and Jan Hudgins and their spouses Bobby and Ken, her three grandchildren and their spouses Scott and Buffy Bales of Mt. Juliet, TN, Jill and Eric Brandon of East Brainerd, TN, and Patrick Bales of Hixson, TN. She was known as Nana to them and furnished them with much love and affection throughout the years. Peggie was at the birth of all three grandkids, one in Chattanooga, one in Jacksonville, FL, and one in Pensacola, FL as their dad was a career pilot with the U.S. Navy and American Airlines for 26 years. Peggie and her husband Ralph followed their children to various locations, including Spain during Bobby’s tour of duty and toured the countryside with the kids in a small Fiat. Son-in-law Ken, a pharmacist with Parkridge Hospital, kept us well informed of our medications, their desired results, and side effects. Jan, a professional teacher, made sure we used the right pronunciation and spelling. Gail kept us guessing where their next home base destination was going to be with our grandkids. Bermuda was the best choice, Miami a close second. Peggie is also survived by her sister Dottie Curls and her husband Charles of Clearwater, Florida, nephews Doug Curls, Dirk Curls and his wife Elaine of Clearwater, Florida, her cousin Sandra Finkbohner and husband Skip of Mobile, Alabama.
The family would like to thank Amedisys Hospice for their care. Courtney Hicks, Ricky Vaughn, Lori Kamees, and Heather Ann Blair – Thank you for your care and compassion. Mom loved you.
There will be a visitation at the Clear Creek Church of Christ at 5612 Hixson Pike from 3:00-5:00 PM on Thursday, July 28th.
In Lieu of flowers, if you so desire, please make a contribution in Peggie’s honor to the charity of your choice.
Peggie wants to tell all her friends that she wishes them farewell and a happy remaining life. She enjoyed life on earth to the fullest and hopes to see you on the other side.
