Peggy Ruth Holbrooks

Heaven is a little brighter today since Peggy Holbrooks went home to be with her Heavenly Father, greeting Him with her beautiful smile and cheerful personality so adored by family and friends. Peggy Ruth Jones Holbrooks was born on July 24, 1933, to Chris Jones and Annie West Jones. She went to be with her Lord and her beloved husband on Tuesday, October 23, 2018, at the age of 85.

Peggy graduated from Stamford High School in 1951 where she was a mighty Bulldog cheerleader. Through the years she held jobs at Bell Telephone as a switchboard operator, Stamford Electric Coop as a keypunch operator, First Baptist Church (where she was a member) as secretary, Dr. Gene Shelhamer’s office as receptionist, and Upshaw & Upshaw Insurance as a customer service representative. Even with all this, Peggy considered her greatest ministry and accomplishment her role as a wife and mother.

Peggy married Weldon Holbrooks on August 3, 1952, in Stamford, Texas. They celebrated 64 years of marriage prior to his death on October 25, 2016.

Peggy participated in activities such as the Monday Playgirls Bowling League, Stamford Pierian Club (serving in various offices including president), Pink Ladies Auxiliary, and Mugs and Muffins. At home she enjoyed sewing, quilting, baking (especially the fresh apple cake at Christmas and pecan pies), and spending time with her grandchildren. Hosting the Jones family dinners, bridge club, parties on Sunday nights after church and after Friday night football games were a special delight. She had a servant’s heart in caring for aging or ailing family, friends, and neighbors. Peggy was a loving wife to her husband, who greeted her every morning with a hearty “HELLO, SUNSHINE!” She survived raising three very different daughters and was the best mom they could have ever wanted.

Peggy was preceded in death by her husband, parents, brothers Otis Jones and Gene Jones, brother-in-law Arby Holbrooks (who entered Heaven just a few hours before her on the same day), and nephews James Allday and Collin Jones.

Mrs. Holbrooks is survived by three daughters: Debbie (Bobby) Prichard of Fulshear, Texas; Jill (Scott) Loar of Town Bluff, Texas; and Tammy (Ken) Baker of Abilene, Texas. She has six grandsons: B. J. (Jenn) Prichard of Stamford, Texas; Chris (Kasi) Prichard of Katy, Texas; Sage (Ariana) Watson of Fort Worth, Texas; Noah Watson of Austin, Texas; Petty Officer Ezra Loar, USCG, of Cape May, New Jersey; and Petty Officer Eli (Courtney) Loar, USN, of Pearl City, Hawaii. Her eight great-grandchildren are Caleb, Cooper, Karly and Carson Prichard; Alex and Adam Prichard; Mila Watson; and Garrison Loar. Surviving siblings are Jo Ann Jones and Betty (Jim) Allday, of Abilene, Texas; Lonell Jones of Charleston, South Carolina; Jane Jones of Dallas, Texas; and Chris (Judy) Jones of Shawnee, Oklahoma. Other special people include sisters-in-law Jane Jones and Peggy Jones, both of Abilene, and Lynn Holbrooks of Robert Lee, Texas; nieces Tiffany (David) Doan of Abilene and Cozy Jones of Katy and nephew Todd (Marlo) Holbrooks of Gail, Texas; great nephews and nieces Kade and Connor McCartney and Kinzi Doan of Abilene, Ayva Jones of Katy, Paige and Jenna Holbrooks of Gail; and a host of other family and friends.

The family appreciates special care givers in Stamford: Mary Smith; Lisa Bustamante; Debbie Calcote; Brenda Griggs; Delfina Gonzalez; Martha Hawkins; and La La Acosta. We also thank Sue Gibson and her staff at Bethel Suites Homecare of Abilene for exceptional care during Peggy’s last eighteen months on earth: Nancy Tutt; Bernice Lyons; Cassandra Phipps; Pam Bowen; and Eva Nieto. Special thanks also to Encompass Home Health Care and Hendrick Hospice.

Funeral services will be Monday, October 29, 2018, 11:00 A.M., at First Baptist Church in Stamford, Texas, with Rev. Scott Loar officiating, followed by burial in the Texas State Veterans Cemetery at 2:00 P.M. under the direction of Tankersley Funeral Home. Visitation will be Sunday, October 28, 2018, from 2:00 to 4:00 P.M. at Tankersley Funeral Home (807 South Columbia), Stamford.

Memorials may be made to Bethel Suites Homecare (925 Kenwood Dr., Abilene, TX 79601), Stamford Pink Ladies, or Stamford FFA. Memories and condolences may be shared with the family at www.tankersleyfuneralhome.com .