Pawnee Elizabeth Parker Pegg

Pawnee Elizabeth Parker Pegg walked this earth for just over 99 years, leaving behind her a path of love, family, deep friendships, and an endless trove of treasured memories-evenings spent on a blanket under the stars, singing to her children, the accent she denied ("That's not a Southern accent; it's a speech impediment."), chicken burgers and milkshakes with her sister, entire weeks spent crafting with her women kin, beautifully wrapped gifts, earning a difficult degree in Medical Records Transcription at 60, delinquent doctors who trembled at her approaching footsteps, expertly sewing clothing ("I could make your dad's suits, but don't tell him that."), mowing the yard wearing a straw hat and jeans so passersby would think her a man, delicious meals served on stylishly set tables, keeping a tidy house while rearing five children and holding down a job, taking the family's pet skunk for beach walks, sweet duets sung with her beloved husband, Marvin, sly witticisms and laughing eyes somehow coupled with complete gullibility, card and board games with anyone willing to play, climbing a ladder to feed baby robins on the roof, row on row of home-canned veggies, fruits, jams, and jellies, and ready-to-bake pies in the freezer, years running a bed and breakfast with Marvin, completely owning her role as Ultimate Preacher's Wife, and so many, many more.

Pawnee was born in tiny Cade, OK, on Dec 30, 1925, leaving with her family (parents Lee & Kitty Parker, and siblings Adolf, Charlette, and Darrell) for Parkdale, Oregon in 1943. She met Marvin in October of 1944, and they were married December 5th that same year. They welcomed their firstborn, Walter (12/26/1946-5/1/1981), two years later followed by twins lost at birth, then Anitra, Gary, and another set of twins, Wayne and Duane.

Marrying a Navy man who later became a preacher for the Church of Christ had set Pawnee on a course of travel the Oklahoma farm girl could never have foreseen. By the time her beloved husband died they had lived in eight states and visited the rest, also traveling to several countries, gathering new friends along the way. She leaves a large and wide-flung family behind-her sister Charlotte Rhodes, Anitra, Gary (Pam), Wayne, and Duane (Tammy), 19 grandchildren, plus great & great-great-grandchildren, nieces, nephews, and honestly, too many others to name or even count, and even more friends.

Pawnee, like the Oklahoma wildflowers she loved, bloomed wherever she was planted, and while she is dearly missed here, Heaven's gardens must surely be charmed by their enchanting new blossom.

A celebration of her life will be held on June 21, 2025, at 2pm, at the Hood River Church of Christ (1512 Tucker Rd, Hood River, OR).