Pegeen Blackford

Pegeen K. Blackford, 96, of Neodesha, KS and formerly of Joplin, MO passed away Sunday, February 13, 2011 at Golden Living Center in Neodesha. Funeral services, under the direction of PenwellGabel Loran Fawcett Chapel, will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Thursday, February 17th at the Neodesha United Methodist Church with Pastor Frank Morgan and Reverend Les Griffith officiating. Burial will be at Mount Hope Cemetery in Webb City, MO at 3:00 p.m. following the services. Friends may call to register at Loran Fawcett Chapel on Wednesday, February 16th from 9:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. with family receiving friends from 6:30 to 8:00 p.m. Pegeen K. Armstrong was born on January 08, 1915 in Joplin, MO to Harry G. Armstrong and Anna Byrde Hunter Armstrong. Pegeen attended schools and graduated from Joplin High in 1934 she worked as a nurse for Dr. V.E. Kenney of Joplin and also for Dr. Weiman of Joplin. She then worked for and retired from St. Johns Hospital in Joplin as a laboratory clerk. She moved to Neodesha in 1999 to be near her daughter, Gaytina. She was a member of First United Methodist Church of Joplin until 1999, when she became a member of Neodesha United Methodist Church. She was a member of the American Legion Auxiliary Unit 13 of Joplin and Unit 322 of Webb City. She was past Auxiliary President and past Chapeau of Eight and Forty Salon 390. She was a member of VFW 534, Joplin and an associate lifetime member of the 78th Division Veteran Association. She had been a volunteer at Mt. Vernon Veterans Hospital and Crisis Pregnancy Center. She also belonged to St. Johns Prestige group. Pegeen loved dolls and was an avid quilter and seamstress. She belonged to the Bethany Quilters of Joplin, the Methodist Quilters of Neodesha, and was an Honorary Heartland Doll Club Member. When Pegeen moved to Neodesha became involved as a volunteer helper in Mrs. Grieves kindergarten class. Pegeen was a life member of Beta Sigma Phi Sorority and belonged to Kansas Phi Master of Neodesha. Pegeen married Harold R. Blackford on June 05, 1937 in Joplin, Missouri and he preceded her in death on July 06, 1960. Survivors include two daughters Gaytina Orr of Neodesha, KS and Sunny Parker of Collinsville, OK grandchildren Timothy amp Margaret Jack of Owasso, OK, Kimberly amp Tom Nickell of Collinsville, OK, Tara Jack of Claremore, OK, Mark Orr of San Diego, CA, Emmett Orr of Neodesha, KS and Evan Orr of Neodesha, KS and two greatgrandchildren Madison amp Molly Nickell. She is preceded in death by her parents, her husband, an infant son, Timothy Aaron, and five siblings. Memorials may be left in Pegeens name to the Neodesha United Methodist Church for a much needed transportation van or to Holt International Adoptions and can be left at the funeral home.