Peggy “MiMi” Peacock, 73, of Beaumont, died Thursday, May 18, 2017, at Baptist Hospitals of Southeast Texas, Beaumont. She grew up on Central Drive, attending Dick Dowling Elementary and later Beaumont Central high school where she performed with the Royal Purples Drill Team. The year of her graduation her father, C.A. "Red" Chriswell, presented her as a Princess in the Neches River festival.
She had a very close relationship with her mother, Mary Etna Chriswell, and she followed in her footsteps, pursuing a degree in elementary education. Like her mother, she was an extraordinarily gifted and creative teacher to her 2nd grade classes. While attending Lamar, she became an ADPi sister, making many lifelong friends. She became deeply involved in the sorority and took on many advisory positions after graduating to help support the girls in the Delta Beta chapter for over forty years. It was during her time at Lamar that she met the man she would spend fifty years with, raising a family of three beautiful girls.
She had an eye for interior design, and her artistic flair was reflected in her beautifully decorated home. Her painted bird houses, along with many of her other decorative creations, helped put her signature touch throughout out the house.
Her daughters would inherit her love of dancing and attended the Marsha Woody Academy of Dance for several years. Later Peggy would spend her Friday nights cheering for them as they performed on the West Brook Stars Drill team. She was active in the Junior Forum for many years and, along with her husband, participated in the annual Follies at the Jefferson theater.
As her children grew up and started their own families, she became the ultimate grandmother, being dubbed "Mimi” by her first granddaughter. She loved taking her grandchildren out for shopping and treats. As the number of grandchildren grew, she hosted sleepovers and fun activities at her house, creating an extraordinarily close relationship between the children and herself.
Peggy was very family oriented, loving to get together with her sisters, brother, nieces and nephews at her mother's house for holidays and special occasions. She continued that tradition with her children, making every holiday a “big production” that gathered everyone together for good food and to reconnect with each other.
Peggy married Robert Peacock at the age of 23. Their bond was unusually strong, and their love for each other spanned over five decades. They balanced each other completely, with her daring and creativity evened out by his logic and planning. This perfect combination allowed them to experience life to the fullest. They loved to travel, and took many memorable trips as both a family and a couple. When Peggy’s health began to limit her independence and mobility, Robert became her caretaker, ensuring she still got to go to the salon to get her hair and nails done. In this day and age, a love like theirs is rare, and they exemplified what marriage ought to be for those around them.
Peggy is preceded in death by her parents, Charles and Mary Etna Chriswell, her sisters, Mary Ann Jones and Jo Ann Cain, and her oldest daughter Kelley Renee’ Peacock. She is survived by her husband Robert Peacock, daughter Shanon Welch and husband Greg, daughter Karrie Dillon, seven grandchildren, and two great-grandchildren. She showered them all with so much love, they'll have full hearts until they see her again.
A gathering of Mrs. Peacock’s family and friends will be from 5:30 p.m. until 7:30 p.m., Tuesday, May 23, 2017, at Broussard’s, 1605 North Major Drive, Beaumont. Her funeral service will be at 11:00 a.m., Wednesday, May 24, 2017, at Broussard’s, with interment to follow at Forest Lawn Memorial Park, Beaumont.
