March 21, 1936 - December 13, 2021
Peggy Jean Tidwell Saunders Townsend, 85, of Abilene, passed away on December 13, 2021, after a brief illness. A visitation with the family will be held from 4-6 pm on Tuesday December 21st at Piersall Funeral Directors, 733 Butternut St. A graveside service will be Wednesday morning at 10:00 am at Elliott-Hamil Garden of Memories with a memorial service to follow at 11:00 am in the auditorium of Highland Church of Christ.
Peggy was born on March 21, 1936, in Del Rio, Texas to the late Cecil and Mary Margaret Ducet Tidwell. She was baptized at the Central Church of Christ when she was 16 years of age. She graduated from Del Rio High School, where she was co-captain of the Wildcat Women’s Basketball team, a member of the National Honor Society, Future Homemakers of America, and the International Correspondence Club.
She worked as a school secretary before marrying Lt. Kenneth Saunders on Sept 24, 1954.
Over the next 27 years, they moved 14 times, had two children, and two grandchildren. Among the places they lived were Arizona, Holland, France, Washington D.C. and Hawaii. She enjoyed these places, but was always proud to be a Texan, and eager to come home to see her parents, uncles, aunts and cousins.
She was active in her local congregation wherever they were stationed, taught Bible Class, served as officer in the PTA, and helped support foreign missions. After moving to Abilene, she owned and managed apartments near Abilene Christian University.
She loved cats, yellow roses, the Dallas Cowboys, game night, eating at Denny’s with friends, singing Karaoke with her son, Jimmy, beating her daughter at Skipbo, attending senior saints activities at Highland church and most of all, spending time with her grand and great-grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by her parents; Cecil and Frances Tidwell, and Mary Margaret Ducet Tidwell Radosevich; husband of 27 years, Kenneth Saunders and husband Buford Townsend; her son, Jimmy Saunders, his wife Kathryn Saunders; and a great granddaughter, Jessica Xeta Voss.
She is survived by her daughter, Serena Voss and husband, Jim; grandson, Dr. Michael Voss and wife Jill, granddaughter, Lorena Hannel and husband Dr. Jeff Hannel; great-grandchildren: Mason, Jenna, and Julie Voss; Dacia, and Saidee Hannel; her uncle Sonny and Aunt Betty Tidwell; and a host of cousins, other relatives and special friends.
Special thanks goes to the Highland Church Family for various services and personal attention, Home Instead for making it possible to stay in the home she enjoyed up until the last two months of her life, Meals on Wheels, and Hendrick Hospice Care for allowing a comfortable space for family, friends and Maxey the cat to visit.
In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made in her name to the Christian Service Center, Highland Church of Christ, Meals on Wheels, Hendrick Hospice Care, or a charity of your choice. Condolences may be offered to the family online at www.pbfuneraldirectors.com.