Peggie Hemphill

Peggie Faye Underwood was born on October 7th, 1936 in Beaver, OK to JP and Mary Estelline Underwood. Due to Estelline’s maternal toxemia, Peggie was born very early and very tiny, 3 lbs. and 4 oz. Grandma Stella Maynard overheard the doctor stating to the nurses that Peggie would not live long, so the family might as well take her home in a shoebox. When Stella got Peggie home, she put her in a drawer with a hot water bottle to keep her warm, very determined to prove the doctor wrong. Stella tended to her while Estelline regained her strength. As you can see, Peggie comes from a long line of strong women.

Peggie was soon joined by 3 sisters. Julia Elaine came next and then TWINS, Frankie Dean and Billie Jean. Four girls within 4 years must have been a huge change for JP and Estelline. All of their clothes were handmade by Estelline. Peggie’s childhood days were filled with farm chores, tasks around the house, and helping with little sisters. JP was a farmer and a rancher and trapped animals on the side.

There was a time that JP and Estelline needed money to pay for milk for Peggie. They had been praying and worrying about that situation and reluctantly decided that they would have to spend a gold coin that had been a legacy gift, so JP took the gold coin to town to buy milk for his tiny daughter. At that time, merchants of the town of Forgan had a drawing on Saturdays, and when JP got to town, he discovered that he had won the drawing and had won enough money to provide the groceries his family needed. JP and Estelline always attributed that as a gift from God during one of their many times of need.

As the girls got old enough to help with farm chores, the younger girls worked in the fields, and Peggie was tasked with helping cook for the family. She learned good Southern cooking from her mother and has delighted family and friends with her amazing cooking for many years. Some of the family favorites she is known for include Chicken and Noodles, Pot Roast and her famous chocolate fondue. She later learned Southwestern cooking from her mother-in-law, Nellie Wiley. The two styles combined led to some remarkable meals.

Peggie met the love of her life, John Hemphill, at Forgan High School. They courted and married on December 23rd, 1954. During their early years, John and Peggie lived in Mississippi, Texas, and back to Forgan. They welcomed Randy, the first grandchild on both sides of the family, in 1955. John was in the Air Force, and was deployed to Europe for a while, so Peggie and Randy returned to Forgan. The time apart was very stressful, but their marriage was always strong. After their Air Force years, they welcomed another son, Bradly Lane. After being raised with mostly females, Peggie delighted in being a mother to boys where discussions often were centered around motorcycles, guns, tractors, building things and adventures. There were many family memories made while water skiing, motorcycle riding and all around exploring.

Faith has always been central to Peggie’s life. Her parents and grandparents taught her and took her to church. She made her faith her own and was baptized at age 13. Ever since then she has kept God at the center of her life and been a faithful member of the Church of Christ. God and her church family have helped her through many challenging times. Peggie was always involved in compassionate acts of service, teaching on the JOY Bus, in various Bible classes, or anywhere she was asked to serve. She was not naturally outgoing but excelled at teaching others the ways of God. She has been an inspiring example to many people throughout her life.

Peggie and John moved to Angel Fire, NM after John retired. They always looked forward to hosting people in their log home that John helped build. One of these joyful occasions included their annual “Balloons over Angel Fire” Brunch for their Moreno Valley Church family and friends. They also delighted in visits with Peggie and John’s siblings and other family members. The Forgan Boy Scouts traveled to Angel Fire for ski trips, backpacking, and many adventures. Peggie and John touched many lives, in many places. They also cared for Peggie’s mother, Estelline, in their home in her later years.

Peggie was a self-taught bead artist, and many family members were recipients of her beautiful work. John was an artisan with silver and turquoise, and they both loved gems and minerals. Peggie always wore beautiful jewelry when she went out and loved wearing jewelry that either she or John had made. She always looked like a million bucks when she went out in public. Earrings were a must!

Peggie and John welcomed daughters-in-law, Dana Roman and Dawn Burke into the family with open arms. Later the family added grandsons, Adam and Matthew, and they were “the icing on the cake!” Peggie and John were very involved grandparents and relished that role. In recent years, Peggie delighted in her new role as GREAT Grandma to Matthew and Susan’s son, Stuart William Hemphill. We are blessed to have many pictures and memories of the precious times they have spent together.

Peggie lost the love of her life, John, unexpectedly in 2006 while visiting John’s siblings in Tuscon, AZ. Although heartbroken, she showed surprising resilience and strength over the past 20 years. Her dependence on God helped her through the difficult times, and she looked forward to being reunited with John.

After many years of health and mobility struggles, Peggie was received into the arms of her Savior on March 18, 2026. She finally rejoined her precious John, and many other loved ones in Heaven.

Peggie was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, John, and two sisters, Frankie Dean Radcliff and Julia Elaine Oden. Family who remain to mourn her passing include her sister Billie Jean Hale (Elk City, OK), sister-in-law and brother-in-law, Mary Ruth and Bill Applegate (Albuquerque, NM), sons, Randy and Dana Hemphill (Choctaw, OK) and Bradly and Dawn Hemphill (Edmond, OK), grandsons Adam Hemphill (Del City, OK) and Matthew and Susan Hemphill (Edmond, OK) and GREAT grandson, Stuart William Hemphill (Edmond, OK). She is also survived by numerous cousins, nieces, and nephews, and is remembered as a favorite of many, many family members.

Peggie’s Memorial Service will be held at the Edmond Church of Christ Chapel on April 11th, 2026, at 11 am. Family visitation will be on Friday night April 10th from 6-8pm at the Memorial Road Church of Christ. A graveside inurnment will be held by immediate family on a separate date as she is laid to rest beside her precious John in the Forgan Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations in Peggie’s memory to either of the following causes:

Second Chances Thrift Store at 2605 N. MacArthur Blvd. OKC, OK 73127. This agency provides food and clothing and many other vital resources for the homeless population, those reentering society following incarceration or drug and alcohol rehabilitation programs. Please indicate “In Memory of Peggie Hemphill” with your donation. You may also donate electronically at www.secondchancesthrift.org.

Friends for Folks, an organization that facilitates a dog training program at Oklahoma prisons, giving life changing second chances to both dogs and those who learn to care for and train them. Donations to Friends for Folks can be sent in care of University Animal Hospital, 1218 Lindsey Plaza, Norman, OK, 73071 or online here.