Margaret “Peg” G. Smith

Margaret G. Smith – better known as Peg – came into this world on May 9, 1920. She was born in Cleveland, Ohio, to C. Arthur and Olga Walther Greene.  After moving to and attending schools in places from Wyoming to Kentucky, she finished high school in Wooster, Ohio.  There she met Ken – Kenneth L. Smith – the love of her life. On August 11, 1940, Peg and Ken were married in the Zion Lutheran Church in Wooster.  They moved to Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, so that Ken could finish college, and their 65 years together began.

Peg and Ken shared a life full of wonderful adventures until his death in 2005.  They enjoyed boating (including family weekends at Possum), flying their small Cessnas,  sport fishing,  traveling in their motor homes and golfing – always entertaining and partying with friends. Their greatest undertaking as a young couple though was their ongoing attempt to rein in the “Smith boys” … Larry, Ricky and Craig!

Since Ken was in the oil business, Peg and Ken moved often in their early years together. But, she said that she knew she was home when they moved to the Ridglea Hills neighborhood in Fort Worth.  Although they moved away to the Houston area for a while, she said she felt they had returned home when they moved to Pecan Plantation in 1977.  She remained in the home that they built there until the end of her life on March 31, 2022.  She was “almost 102.”

One of Peg’s fondest stories was that when Ken had joined the Army Air Corps during World War II, she went to work as the first receptionist for the company that became Rubbermaid in Wooster, Ohio.  She helped make the Mae West life preservers, and she liked to think that the one she made may have saved Ken’s life when his plane was shot down in the Pacific.

She stayed active wherever she lived – from serving as a Cub Scout den mother in Fort Worth through being an active (and sometimes charter) member of many organizations.  She was a member of the Order of the Eastern Star, the Garden Club of Fort Worth, the Ladybug Garden Club of Granbury, the Granbury Opera Guild, and the Pecan Plantation Woman’s Club (to name a few).  She enjoyed singing… beginning her “career” when she was a small child and finishing it with her tour with the Melody Bells in Pecan Plantation.  She took up painting, and she soon filled her walls with her beautiful oil paintings.   And always, she was an advocate for the proper handling of the American flag!

Family gatherings at her house were legendary… including extinguishing oven fires while still preserving the turkey for dinner and finding last year’s crescent rolls in the bread warmer.  Her “Peg’s Benedict” on Sunday mornings were an expected and much anticipated treat! Brandy Alexanders were always a hit…as well as other delectable drinks which were usually served up in the personalized shamrock Tervis tumblers.  Peg’s adult beverage of choice was her evening Crown Royal and water which she enjoyed while visiting with family and friends … and/or while watching and playing Wheel of Fortune.

The most sought after treasure in her house was Peg’s ever present cookie jar or tin filled with her famous Toll House cookies.  Her adoring grandkids sometimes helped her bake and decorate cookies and dye Easter eggs among other fun times in that kitchen.  It was always a busy place.

Throughout her life, Peg shared her beautiful smile, sparkling blue eyes and joyous spirit with all her loved ones – family and friends alike. She never met a stranger!  She always said that she lived so long because she”just didn’t worry about things”.

Peg loved and was loved by all!  She was a devoted and wonderful mom to her three sons, and she was a second mom to their wives and to some very dear children of friends.  She was a fabulous “Grandma” who cherished her grandkids. She truly was Peg O’ My Heart!

Peg is survived by her sons and their wives, Larry and Gretel, Rick and Kathy, and Craig and Melinda; 7 grandchildren; 3 great grandchildren; her brother Chuck Greene, and many beloved nieces and nephews and all the spouses.

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband Ken and by her sister Marylin “Puddie” Conrad.

Cremation has taken place, and a family celebration of her remarkable life will be held for her at the DFW National Cemetery on her birthday.

The family extends its gratitude to the wonderful caregivers who lovingly helped Peg remain in her home.

In remembrance of Peg, please practice proper flag etiquette.  Memorial donations may be made to a charity of your choice.