Peggy Knowlan

Peggy Lou Johnson Knowlan, 90, of Jackson died Saturday, Aug. 10, 2013.

She was born Sept. 18, 1922, in Wichita Falls, Texas, daughter of Benjamin Franklin and Stella Ellis Johnson. She spent her childhood in various parts of Texas.

She had polio at an early age and spent part of her teen years at Franklin Delano Roosevelt's Warm Springs Polio Foundation in Warm Springs, Ga. During this time she was in a full-body cast for two years but was known for her warm, optimistic spirit and her beautiful soprano voice.

She attended Stephens College in Columbia, Mo., but was unable to continue because there were no accommodations for those with handicaps. She then accompanied her brother to Mexico City, where she studied art and Spanish.

When she returned to Victoria, Texas, to live with her mother, she sang in the choir at the First Presbyterian Church in Victoria. Her future husband, Jack H. Knowlan Sr., was singing bass and asked her to get a soda after choir. They married in 1948.

In 1954, they moved to Cape Girardeau and then in 1960 to Jackson, where Peggy devoted her life to raising her three children and supporting her family's many outdoor activities. She was an amazing cook and seamstress and enjoyed many forms of handiwork, such as crochet, embroidery and needlepoint.

She was an avid reader whose vocabulary always outstretched her children's. She was a gifted artist, doing both oil and watercolor painting. She loved animals and cherished life. She instilled a deep faith and optimism in her children and was a source of wisdom and comfort to many of her children's friends. She also was a beloved aunt to her many nieces and nephews in Texas and a cherished sister and cousin.

Peggy was very active in church and school activities, and served on the session of the First Presbyterian Church of Jackson. She helped organize four bridge clubs in Jackson and Cape Girardeau and was an active member of Chapter DJ, PEO Sisterhood in Jackson. Peggy also worked as a receptionist in a physician's office, helped manage the apple packing and shipping operation at Knoll Crest Orchard and was a recruiter for her daughter's company, Annie's Midwestern Nannies.

She was a loving wife, mother and friend and was loved by everyone who knew her. Peggy's friends and relatives often told her children, "You know your mother would do anything for anyone." It was true. We shall miss her beautiful smile and love-filled eyes. We are incredibly blessed by the gift of her love and the strength of her bright spirit.

Peggy is survived by her three children, Lou Ann Knowlan of Boulder, Colo., Jack (Bonnie) Knowlan Jr. of Jackson and Mary Susan (Bob) Trainor of Parkland, Fla.; seven grandchildren, Erika (Matt) Russell of Niceville, Fla., Spencer (Lara) Knowlan of Jackson, Stuart (Courtney) Knowlan of St. Louis, Robyn Knowlan of Boulder, Arin Knowlan Brockett of Boulder, Bethany Trainor of Tallahassee, Fla., and Ethan Trainor of Parkland; and seven great-grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Jack H. Knowlan Sr.; a grandson, Major Garrett Wayne Knowlan; her mother and father; and four brothers and sisters.

Visitation will be from 9 to 11 a.m. Thursday at First Presbyterian Church in Jackson.

Funeral services will be at 11 a.m. Thursday at the church, with the Rev. Grant F.C. Gillard officiating. Burial will be in Russell Heights Cemetery in Jackson.

Arrangements by Cracraft-Miller Funeral Home.

Online condolences may be made at cracraftmiller.com.