Peggy Jean (Taylor) Thurston, daughter of Richard and Kayte Taylor, was born in Kansas City, Missouri on April 16, 1938. She passed away surrounded by family at the age of 85 on March 4, 2024 in Chickasha, Oklahoma.
Peggy spent her childhood living in Tulsa, Oklahoma with her parents and younger brother. She was active in Campfire Girls and enjoyed family vacations to the lake. Peggy was very involved in the youth choir at Boston Avenue Methodist Church. She had fond memories of traveling with the choir to perform at Princeton University where she had the unique opportunity to meet Albert Einstein.
Upon graduation from high school, she attended the University of Oklahoma where she obtained a Bachelor’s degree in History followed by a Master’s degree in Secondary Education and later a Master’s degree in Library Media Science each from the University of Oklahoma, Norman, Oklahoma.
While attending the University of Oklahoma she was initiated into the Gamma Phi Beta Sorority on March 2, 1957 at Psi Chapter at the University of Oklahoma. Her love of Gamma Phi Beta kept her involved with providing references for future sorority sisters and participating on the House Corporation Board.
Peggy was an avid OU sports fan, during and after college, attending OU football games in person for many years and later never missing a game on the radio or television. She loved receiving gifts that involved OU.
She met her future husband, Page Thurston of Alex, Oklahoma at OU when they both were assigned to the same school for student teaching. She married Page on August 12, 1960. Peggy and Page were stationed in Germany during his service time in the United States Army and returned to Grady County to make a permanent home on their farm and ranch. They celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary in the summer of 2010 at a reception given by their children.
Peggy was an educator at heart and enjoyed a lifelong career of teaching and serving as a school librarian. On her 75 th birthday an Oklahoma flag was flown over the state capital in honor of her and her commitment to education. She retired from teaching formally in 2020 at the age of 82. Her teaching was not limited to the public school system. Peggy used family vacations to teach about history. While her children were young, she actively helped with Bible School every summer at the Alex Methodist Church. Peggy volunteered as a Girl Scout Troop Leader. She was supportive of all the projects and interests her four children participated in growing up ranging from 4-H, FFA, Cheerleading, Pep Squad, sports, and music lessons. She was the Performing Troupe Director of the O.K.A.Y. State 4-H Performing Arts Troupe from 1985-1988. The state troupe performed across Oklahoma including at the State Fair of Oklahoma in 1987 and 1988. Additionally, she taught GED classes for developmentally delayed adults from 1994-1997 and was a Court Appointed Special Advocate.
Peggy was rarely seen sitting down and when she did sit it was usually to read books or quilt. She loved working in the flower bed, raising chickens, and canning vegetables in the summer. She enjoyed playing Shanghai Rummy with family and friends but she was partial to the lifelong Bridge Club she loved taking part in.
She is survived by her son, Phillip Thurston, Jr., of Alex, Oklahoma, three daughters, Melissa Tijerina of San Antonio, Texas, Callie Thurston of Chickasha, Oklahoma, Virginia Salazar and husband Matt of Norman, Oklahoma and six grandchildren, Daniel Thurston, Camille Thurston, Joseph Tijerina, Carolina Tijerina, Mason and Sarah Barrington, and Graden Salazar. Peggy also leaves a legacy of countless individuals who she helped to shape as an educator and volunteer.
Peggy was preceded in death by her husband, Phillip Page Thurston, Sr., as well as her parents, Richard and Kayte Taylor, of Tulsa, Oklahoma, and her brother, Phillip Taylor of Sapulpa, Oklahoma.
Visitation will be available at Ferguson Funeral Home on Thursday, March 7 th beginning at 2:00 p.m. The family will be present to receive friends from 4:00-6:00 p.m.
Funeral Services will be held at the Alex Public School at 10:00 a.m. on Friday, March 8 th , 2024.
Interment will be at Fort Sill National Cemetery at 2:00 p.m. on Friday, March 8 th , 2024.
The service and the interment are under the direction of Ferguson Funeral Home.