Dates
Peggy Griffith Finley, 88, died peacefully on August 24, 2024. We will miss her for the rest of our lives but she is forever in our hearts, just where she always told us she would be.
Peggy was born on December 2, 1935, in Kilgore, Texas, to Ruth and P.R. Griffith. She was the middle child, and she spent her entire life admiring her older sister Marian and adoring her baby brother Reid. Peggy married her first husband, Ben Snead, during her senior year but kept it a secret until she graduated—as any respectable high school cheerleader would do. Lovington High School was none the wiser, and Ben and Peggy moved to Lubbock after she graduated. Peggy and Ben had four children together: Gin, Julie, Ben, and John. Eventually as a single mom, she worked long hours, commuting to San Angelo from Bronte, making dinner every single night, attending her boys’ games when she could, and always, always making sure the girls had new outfits for their dates.
She was highly intelligent and well-equipped for any argument. The Peggy Finley of today probably would’ve been a lawyer herself, but the Peggy Finley of that day was just happy to support one. And ultimately to marry one—George Finley. With Peggy’s four and George’s two, they had one last baby together – Amanda. Peggy had Amanda the same year Gin and Julie had their own daughters. Raising daughters and granddaughters further sealed the unbreakable bond she had with her oldest girls. Having Amanda late in life probably kept her young, but raising children for 41 consecutive years would have worn anyone out. Anyone except Peggy, of course.
Despite having entirely too many children between them, Peggy and George lived an extraordinary life! She was his secretary, and he was her pilot. George didn’t complain (much) about her shopping (even at Christmas), and she didn’t complain (much) about his thrice weekly bridge game. Together, they traveled as often as they could, gambled whenever they felt like it, ate well (and then dieted too much), read a lot, and laughed a whole lot more. Everyone credited George for his sense of humor, but the truth was, mom was just as funny (and she remained so until the very end).
Mother was beautiful, no nonsense, and just a whole lot of fun. She had style, and when she walked into a room, people noticed. She loved anything and everything sweet, Willie Nelson, the San Antonio Spurs, dogs and eventually cats, Red River, antiques, The Carriage, and sun tanning. In fact, we are pretty sure Mom held the record for the oldest woman with a tanning membership.
Mother was an incredible cook, but her recipes were another thing she kept secret, especially for her famous Christmas candy. Christmas was probably Peggy’s favorite thing—she loved the hustle and bustle and buying gifts for every single person in her enormous family. All of us hold wonderful memories of Peggy’s Christmases, and it is hard to imagine having Christmas without our favorite thing—her.
George died on New Year’s Eve in 2016, and Mom joined the First Presbyterian Church the next year. Although we were hopeful about her future as a new widow, dementia would steal most of those years from her (and from us). But mother never forgot her children, and she never stopped loving her family. In the end, her ask was simple. She wanted her children and grands to stick together. We are a work in progress, but we will do our best to adhere to the promises we made until we meet her again.
Peggy is survived by many who loved her dearly, including daughters Gin Lindsey, Amanda Thompson (husband Joe Don), and Becky Leger, and sons Ben Snead and John Snead. Peggy is also survived by Rick Hyatt, Julie’s husband. Peggy had so many grandchildren and great-grandchildren that we lost count, so we will simply name them: Micah Lindsey (children Andrew and Julia and granddaughter Jackie); Amber Garza (husband Roland and daughters Brooklyn and Emerson); Jessica Tidquist (partner John Reese and children Bella, Parker, and Cooper); Erica Wilde (husband Blake and children Conlie and Cash Carter and Hannah and Rylee Wilde); Ryan, Lauren, Sean, Shelby, and Carly Snead (fiancé Sam Jones); Georgia and Finley Thompson; Samantha Parsons (husband Amos and son Julian); Shannon Finley (children Lindsey, Shelby, Emma, and Buddy); Hayden Finley; Aaron Detweiler; and Shalom Leger. Peggy is also survived by sister Marian Black, brother Reid Griffith and wife Marla, and numerous nieces and nephews.
Peggy was preceded in death by her husband George and his son Sam; grandsons Jaron Detweiler and Joshua Parsons; and her first husband, Ben. Peggy’s daughter Julie also went before her earlier this year, presumably to prepare and decorate mom’s place above—just as she always did below. We were fortunate that mom didn’t really know Julie left us, and we take great peace from knowing they are together now.
The family would like to thank the staff at Brayden Park and Gentiva Hospice, and the numerous friends who loved and checked on Peggy until the end. Amber Garza, thank you for going above what was required, time and time again. And to Lana Thompson, for us, you remain the closest evidence that angels walk among us.
Pallbearers are Joe Don Thompson, Rick Hyatt, Roland Garza, John Reese, Blake Wilde, Sam Jones, and Parker Tidquist. A visitation will be held at Harper Funeral Home from 6:00 – 8:00pm on Friday, August 30. Service will be held at 10:30am on Saturday, August 31 at First Presbyterian Church, followed by a lunch celebration. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation in Peggy’s memory to the Native American Disability Law Center.