Peggy Armstrong Marston

Peggy Armstrong Marston passed away peacefully at home on Sunday, May 4, 2014 following an extended illness. A memorial service will be conducted on Wednesday, May 7, 2014 in the North Chapel of George A. Smith and Sons Funeral Home with Rev. Dan Camp and Dr. Paul Clayton officiating.

Peggy is survived by J. Kenneth (Ken) Marston, Sr., husband, of more than sixty-four years. Also surviving are two daughters, Janey Marston Jackson and husband David of Germantown, TN and Karen Marston Grommersch and husband Thomas of Charlotte, NC; one son, J. Kenneth (Chip) Marston, Jr., and wife Deborah Davis Marston of Germantown, Tennessee; and grandchildren, Meghan Jackson Sullivan, M.D., and husband John of Germantown, TN, David Chase Jackson, and wife Chessie of Germantown, Kendall Davis Marston of Nashville, Robin Elizabeth Marston of Germantown, Leslie Anne Grommersch and John Andrew Grommersch of Charlotte, NC; two great grandsons, John Daniel and Patrick David Sullivan; two sisters, Judy Armstrong Makinson of Florence, AL and Bette Armstrong Foust and husband, James Max Foust of Walnut Creek, California; and other relatives including nieces, nephews, cousins, and a host of friends.

Peggy was born on April 6, 1931 in New Market, Alabama, the first child of Roscoe Odell Armstrong and Lillian Alene Dale Armstrong. Her early life was spent in Mississippi where her father served as a high school agriculture teacher. The family moved to Lawrenceburg, Tennessee from Taylor, Mississippi in 1946. While a student at Taylor, Peggy was Class President, 1945 and 1946, and recipient of the school Math and Science Medal.

A graduate of Lawrence County High School, Lawrenceburg, Tennessee, she was class officer in 1947, DAR Representative, Pepsi Cola Scholarship Finalist, and a member of the American High School Register.

Peggy was known and admired by many friends for her consistently kind and gentle spirit. In 1962, when the family moved to Jackson she became a faithful member of The Forest Heights United Methodist Church. During forty three years of service there, she was active in the Robert Carleton Sunday School class, the United Methodist Women, and other church activities. In those years, she was instrumental in organizing a group of church women to visit nursing home facilities bringing small gifts and cheer to patients.

She and her husband transferred their church membership to First United Methodist Church, Jackson in 2004.

While receiving treatment for Non-Hodgkins Lymphoma at Vanderbilt University Hospital in 1985 the physician in charge of her care, having noted her positive, expectant attitude, requested her to speak with other patients to encourage them in their treatment journey which she did with some success.

Peggy was a magnificent wife, a loving mother, and an inspiration to her children and grandchildren. The family is deeply grateful for her well-lived life and treasured memories that will live in their hearts.

The family wishes to express its deep gratitude to Hospice of West Tennessee and to private caregivers for their loving, tender care: leader Gwendolynn Newton, Debrah Scurlock, Genola Ross, Cynthia Arnold, and Genie Womack.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorials may be directed to First United Methodist Church, 200 South Church Street, Jackson, Tennessee or The Alzheimer’s Association.

The family will receive friends one hour prior to the memorial service.

Arrangements for Mrs. Marston are under the direction of George A. Smith and Sons Funeral Home, (731) 427-5555.