Birth date: Jan 15, 1936 Death date: Jan 30, 2021
Born January 15, 1936, in Palestine, Texas, Peggy Jo Muston Martin McMillan of Longview, Texas, passed away on January 30, 2021, at the age of 85. She was preceded in death by her first husband, Ronald F. Martin, Sr., and her par Read Obituary
I just learned of Peggy’s passing. I will never forget all the fish fries. I so enjoyed finding fish dishes to bring her over the years. And hearing of the wonderful trips they all went on together and separately. So much merriment, great food, and memories.
She is a treasure in my heart.
Our prayers and thoughts for Peggy McMillan’s family in the loss of their mother. A great lady.
Bettye and Larry Mitchell
Tribute to Peggy Jo Muston Martin McMillan
While it was fully expected, it was an emotional jolt to receive the sad news about Peggy’s departure from this life.
As I read her remarkably interesting obituary, I smiled at the reference to her being an absolute whiz at typing because I was in her typing class our senior year and remembered her rapidly tapping away on her keyboard behind me. I was one of very few boys in a sea of girls in that class since typing was not considered a guy thing back then. With her flying fingers she certainly beat my slowly pecking away trying to meet the minimum of 40 words per minute. Her speed was at least twice that rate, probably close to 100 wpm. She was a great role model who inspired me to keep on typing just as I am doing now in recounting my memories of her.
While I did not know her well, I vividly recall her bright smiling face and cheerful greeting as she walked past me to her desk. It was sort of a hang-in-there-and-keep-trying expression that was always encouraging. She exuded a warmth to everyone she met and was a real breath of fresh air for us all.
I recall her marriage to Ronnie Martin, a fellow Aggie, and I was shocked to learn of his tragic death a few years later that left Peggy alone with their four children to raise. While life had dealt her a cruel blow with his loss, she certainly hung in there and made the most of the hand she had been dealt. I am sure that her strong religious faith and her network of family and myriad friends were huge supports in that.
My career took me far away from Longview and I was usually unable to attend our LHS Class of ’54 reunions whenever I received the invitations from Peggy, who was our class secretary. Living so far from my hometown made me especially appreciative of Peggy’s keeping me abreast of happenings back home.
On our fifteenth reunion we were living in Paris, France, so attending was out of the question. Instead, I wrote an open letter to our class and addressed it to her with a request to share it with our classmates in attendance. Recently, I ran across my copy of that letter and added it to my legacy notebook.
On several occasions when I was back home in Longview visiting my parents, I dropped into her office to say hello and to visit with her for a few minutes. Finally, I was able to attend our 45th class reunion and had corresponded with her several times prior to the event. When I arrived, she was the first person to greet me at the reception desk and that was repeated at our 60th reunion, always with the same wonderful smile and warm welcome home.
Despite her early setbacks, Peggy’s life was full of admirable accomplishments, including a career that spanned 56 years. I suspect that is a class record. She had lots of passionate interests, including world travel, church and most notably her large family, which is her greatest legacy. She will be greatly missed by all who knew and loved her, but she will certainly live on in our cherished memories, some of which I have been motivated to record above.
Bob Coffey, LHS ‘54
Hendersonville, NC
Tim, Cary, Linda and family,
I can tell from reading her story and watching the video montage that your mom was beyond lovely and lively. Although we never met, I have a feeling she would have been a friend to me, as she was to so many in Longview. I wish I'd known her!
May your memories of Peggy bring much joy.
Julia Wyant
My deepest sympathy to the family of Peggy. We had been friends since 1962 when we both worked in the Petroleum Building. She was one in a million -- so very sweet to EVERYONE! I loved her so much. She will be missed.
Twila Loving
Ronnie and Tim,
My deepest sympathy to you and your family on the loss of your sweet precious Mother.
Darla English
Peggy was always sweet and kind to me, as a newlywed welcoming me into the family. And after I was no longer part of the family, she was still sweet and kind to me. Anytime our paths crossed, I loved talking with her and enjoyed her twinkling eyes, her laugh and her ageless beauty.
So sorry for your loss Tim and family. My thoughts are with you today and in the coming days and weeks. Rest in peace to your mom.
Thinking of you all and Peggy. And sending lots of love to you all. Jo Lasater
