Peggy Ruth Stansell

Peggy Ruth Stansell Funeral services for Peggy Ruth Stansell, 85, of Longview, will be held 10 a.m. Friday, December 30, 2016, at Greggton First Baptist Church. Peggy, surrounded by her loved ones, went home to be with her Lord on December 26, the day after Christmas, following a lengthy illness. Peggy was born in Alma, OK, February 16, 1931, to Byrlos Ernest and Mildred Lucille Harn. According to a story that Peggy wrote in 1970 for her children and grandchildren, she met the love of her life in the spring of 1948 while she was attending an anniversary party in Kilgore. Pretty seventeen-year-old Peggy was wearing sparkling new, golden wedge-heeled, ankle-strap shoes that caught the eye of a handsome veteran, Charlie Stansell, who asked her to dance as the band played, “You Made Me Love You.” They married that November and spent sixty-five wonderful years together before he passed away in 2013. As Charlie worked for Texas Eastman for 34 years, where he was supervisor of production and planning in the Polyethylene Department, Peggy spent her days taking care of and nurturing their three children – Debbie, Paula and David. Peggy was much more than her title of housewife indicated. According to her children, she was their feisty defender and champion, and an endless source of humor, wit, wisdom and love. After settling in Pine Tree, the couple joined Greggton First Baptist Church where they were very active teaching Sunday school classes, going on mission trips, and participating in lay renewals across several states. Charlie served as a deacon, chairman of the deacons, and trustee while Peggy worked just as hard as he did in the church, supporting his every effort. She was also quick to give her testimony as to what the Lord had done for her, saving a lonely, only child who because of her father’s work had to attend thirteen different schools growing up. The couple worked tirelessly together in humble tasks such as feeding the sick and needy of the church and community. Together they shared their wonderful backyard garden with friends, neighbors, and family. If Peggy ever had an enemy, it was the squirrels in the huge pecan trees that shaded the backyard. They cut down on the crop she shared with others, and she did make war on them. “Gram”, as she was known by many, was always vigilant to meet every need of her family, including spiritual needs, and she led many of them to Christ. Toward the end, she thanked them repeatedly for their love, concern, and help, to which they replied, “Any debt has been paid forward to us many times over.” In the familiar words of Proverbs 31, “Her children rise up and call her blessed.” The same can be said for her grandchildren who loved her so much. Peggy is survived by her three children, son David Stansell; daughter Debbie Gail and her husband, James Carpenter; daughter Paula and her husband, Bill Maxwell. Her grandchildren include granddaughters Jacquelyn Carpenter, Cher Ratay, Lindsey Carpenter, and Sandy Bishop; grandsons Josh Stone and Jason Maxwell; great granddaughters Konstance Mason, Brooke Presley, Madelyn Carpenter and great grandsons, Taylor White, Mike Ratay and Nick Ratay. Other family members are sister-in-law Felicia and husband Jack Moore, brother-in-law Eirial Stansell, brother-in-law Vance Stansell and his wife Mary Jane, and many nieces, nephews and cousins. Visitation will be Thursday evening at Rader Funeral Home from 6-8 p.m. Rev. Bobby E. Moore will conduct the funeral service on Friday, at 10 a.m. at Greggton First Baptist Church, followed by burial at Grace Hill Cemetery. The family thanks Bert Ratay of Diagnostic Clinic of Longview and the staff of Longview Regional for their exceptional care during her stay, including Dr. Shea, Dr. Donty, and Dr. Kiser of Diagnostic Clinic of Longview, and her loving caregiver Susan Joiner. Also deeply appreciated are the many prayers, visits, and acts of kindness from her family, friends, ministers and church family. If desired, memorial donations may be made to Greggton First Baptist Church Benevolence Fund.

Peggy Ruth Stansell

February 16, 1931 - December 26, 2016