Peggy Jenenne Pack Painter, 83, of Athens, Texas, passed away on October 6, 2023. She was two days shy of her 84th birthday on October 8. She passed peacefully among her caring nurses at Home Place Hospice of East Texas in Tyler, Texas. The family is very grateful for the staff and the care they provided her during her time at Home Place.
She was born to parents James and Cordelia Pack in Bishop, Texas, on October 8, 1939. No hospital was involved, just caring people in an old farmhouse. She graduated from Bishop High School in 1958 and received a Bachelor of Business Administration from Texas A & I University of Kingsville, Texas, in 1962.
Peggy married Cled Painter in 1965, whose job took them to many places. They lived in London, Great Yarmouth, and Thurston, England, having their first child, Cord Painter, in Norwich. They lived in Norman, Oklahoma, and Crosby, Texas, before settling in Athens, Texas, in 1980. Athens has been their beloved home for 43 years.
Peggy was a beautiful and fun-loving woman. She met her husband, Cled, while working as an executive secretary at Dresser Industries in Houston, Texas. Cled was a student in their MUD school. Her beauty and poise drew the attention of management and she became the cover model for company publications. Cled and Peggy had to hide their courtship as dating relationships between students and employees were forbidden. After six short weeks, they were engaged, but still kept it a secret.
Peggy was a very talented woman. She was a great painter, a creative quilter, and an accomplished musician, having played the piano all her life. She sang beautifully and obtained a scholarship to college for her vocal talents. She used her musical talents to bless congregations at Fellowship Baptist Church, West Athens Baptist Church, and Life Fellowship Church, all in Athens, Texas. She helped create two local businesses with dear friends in Athens: Classy Cakes with the late Faye McCarley, and The Wayward Possuum with Trini Blanton. Many will remember Peggy as the faithful long-term substitute for Athens ISD. She was a favorite substitute teacher for staff and students at all schools for many years. Through this endeavor, she ministered to many students and made an eternal and loving impression on their hearts.
Above all, Peggy prioritized her love of our Lord, Jesus Christ, and lovingly caring for her family. She was a godly wife and mother, the best anyone could hope and dream for. Over her many health battles from 2005 to the present, she never faltered at being the loving and caring matriarch of the family, walking through each trial with remarkable strength and joy that can only come from Christ. We are comforted in knowing she is in the arms of her Savior and rejoicing with her late parents and beloved late brother, Buck H. Pack, with whom she was especially close.
Peggy is survived by her husband, Cled Painter, and two children: Cord Painter, of Brady, Texas, and Toni Berke, of Boone, North Carolina. She is also survived by a loving daughter-in-law, Tina Painter; grandson, Charles Martin III, great-grandson, Charles Martin IV (Itty); and loving son-in-law, Andy Berke; and three grandchildren; Eli, Jace, and Edie Berke.
The family would also like to thank Cled and Peggy’s many friends and neighbors for their caring relationships that ministered to them, especially the Dotty Percle Bridge Club and its director, Ms. Ginger Ramey. You have been a soothing balm to many wounds of hardship and we pray that you know the pricelessness of your presence.
A memorial service will be held in her memory on Wednesday, November 22, 2023, at Hannigan Smith Funeral Home in Athens, Texas. The family requests those in attendance wear Peggy’s favorite color, purple.
*All obituaries are submitted by family and friends of the deceased.
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