Peggy Ann Glenn Caldwell, 77, of Northport, Alabama died August 21, 2021 at Tuscaloosa DCH. Peggy was born in Haleyville, Alabama where she lived, married and raised her family until 2001 when she and her husband Doug moved to Northport.
Peggy never sought out praise, but served others throughout her life with her simple acts of service.
As a young girl growing up in Haleyville, Peggy developed her healthy respect for hard work early on, joining her extended family in northwest Alabama fields where she spent hours picking cotton. Her disdain for the chore influenced her unfortunate decision to weigh down her cotton bag with rocks in order to produce a heavier bag at the end of the day. Those with the heaviest bag were given the glorious prize of a nickel and were allowed to stop work early. Her plan would have worked had it not been for the cotton gin being set ablaze from the sparks created when her rocks hit the gin.
She grew up with her mother, father and brother Ronnie in a small house outside of town where she developed a knack for cleanliness and order, keeping her home in pristine shape while her mother worked as a gifted seamstress in the textile mills. Living next door was a young boy named Douglas who, along with his two brothers, became good friends with Ronnie. Doug quickly recognized Peggy was “the prettiest girl in the world” and knew one day she would take his hand in marriage. They graduated Haleyville High School and were married a few years later, February 4, 1965.
Like her mother, Peggy went to work at Haleyville Textile, learning and honing her sewing skills. She would use those skills throughout her life, sewing Easter dresses, costumes and outfits for her daughters and later baby blankets for children who were blessed to receive one of her handmade gifts. Rarely was there a baby born that she knew who didn’t have a special blanket sewn by Mrs. Peggy.
Peggy and Doug dedicated their lives to serving the Lord through the local church. They poured their hearts into every church they called home, New Prospect Baptist Church Haleyville, First Baptist Church Haleyville and Northport Baptist Church. Early in their marriage they claimed Matthew 6:33 as their guiding scripture, “But seek ye first the Kingdom of God and His righteousness and all these things shall be added unto you, ” and lived their lives accordingly. They passionately supported Missions and Youth Ministries all their lives, providing financial support and participating in mission tours to plant new churches and share the gospel across the country.
As a young stay-at-home mom raising two daughters, Peggy became an entrepreneur, baking wedding and birthday cakes, filling her little home with a delicious aroma and stacks of Wilton decorating magazines and accessories.
Baking became her ministry, and her Red Velvet cake was legendary. It was her gift for any occasion, birthdays, church gatherings, funerals, and celebrations. Many are those who have been blessed with her red velvet, caramel and German chocolate cake from elderly homebound friends to Alabama State Capitol Police, she blessed countless others with her sweet gift.
She was an encourager to all, but did not tolerate foolishness. She could communicate volumes with just one “Peggy Look”, and you would know her position on a matter. Raising two daughters she encouraged their independence, but sent them out the door time and time again with just one word, “Behave.”
Peggy had a meticulous eye for detail allowing her to excel as a trusted payroll clerk for many manufacturing and food service industries in northwest Alabama. She worked outside the home to ensure her daughters were equipped and able to pursue an education beyond high school. She later surprised everyone when she decided to further her own education by enrolling in accounting classes at Northwest Community College even when her youngest was attending the same school as a freshman.
She was an encourager, and led her daughters to develop a love for learning, music and performance. The daughter of a noted Sacred Harp singer, Peggy encouraged her daughters to sing and to play piano and other musical instruments. Her encouragement paid off when both daughters earned performing arts scholarships to college. She and Doug beamed with pride and when their oldest marched with the University of Alabama Million Dollar Band and their youngest earned college scholarships by performing in the Miss Alabama Pageant.
Peggy’s passion for learning led her oldest daughter to devote her life to being an educator of young children. That passion is now passed down to their oldest granddaughter who is also an educator.
She was an avid reader. On family beach trips, Peggy would avoid the sun and could be found inside, tucked in a corner devouring the latest Nicholas Sparks novel or any Best Selling fiction. She was a news and information consumer, and did not miss a report on local WJBB radio, or Birmingham broadcast television. She was always abreast of national, state and local current events and used her appetite for knowledge to learn and remember details of every person she met. Her respect for news and public affairs led her youngest to pursue a broadcast journalism career, allowing Peggy to one day watch her own daughter on the evening news.
She and Doug loved to attend local plays and live music concerts, supporting the local arts and artists. But their greatest joy was in their five grandchildren. Rarely did Mimi and Bobo miss a preschool performance, school assembly, band or strings concert, soccer, basketball, softball or football game, graduation or birthday. Their love and support helped develop their grandchildren into fine young men and women who promise their Mimi they will always cover their shoulders in church, wear socks when its cold and cover their heads when they go outside in the winter.
As her mind and body failed in her final days, Peggy was blessed with a great-grandson who could always bring a smile to her face, perhaps rekindling her distant memory of all the babies she loved and cared for over the years, including the generations she loved and nurtured in the church nursery.
In her final year on this earth, Peggy’s devoted husband became her round-the-clock caregiver. Her childhood sweetheart dedicated himself to her medical care and comfort, her protection and her happiness. He and her loving daughters were blessed to be by her side as she drew her last breath.
Peggy is survived by her devoted husband of 56 years, Douglas Caldwell, two daughters Beth Caldwell Ramey (John) of Northport and Rebekah Caldwell Mason (Jon) of Tuscaloosa. She leaves five adoring grandchildren, Mandy Ramey Tucker (Cameron), Matthew Ramey (Riley), Moseley Caldwell Mason, Lilyann Glenn Mason and Mary Caddell (Della) Mason. She has one great-grandson, Elijah Cameron Tucker who always brought a smile to her face.
She is preceded in death by her mother, Ila V DeFoor Glenn Aldridge, her father, John Henry Glenn and her brother Ronald Glenn.
Friends and family will celebrate and honor Peggy’s life Wednesday, August 25, 2021 at 3 pm at First Baptist Church, Haleyville with Matthew Ramey and Dr. Todd Evans officiating. A Visitation will be held at 2pm at First Baptist. Burial will follow the service at Winston Memorial Cemetery.
Pallbearers are Matthew Ramey, Moseley Mason, Cameron Tucker, Greg Corsbie, Danny DeFoor, James Robert McKinney and W.S. Hess.
Honorary Pallbearers include her sisters-in law, her many beloved nieces, nephews and cousins, the Nursing Staff of DCH TSICU, MICU, and LTAC who compassionately cared for “Mrs. Peggy” with dignity and respect: Hallie, Hunter, Sadie, Austin, Whitney, Lauren, Chasidy, Ramie, Paige, Callie, Lindsey, Haley, Jess, Katelyn, Sam, Allie, Kaylee, Hannah, Brooke, and Shannon, and the many children she rocked over the decades in the nursery of First Baptist Church.
If you choose to honor her legacy, Peggy’s family asks that in lieu of flowers, you make a donation to the ministry of your choice, one that supports the spread of the love of Jesus through missions, music, art and service.
