Peggy Marie Hurley, 49, one of the feistiest, spiciest, most special and outrageous souls habitat these parts, crossed the chilling waters of Jordan on Tuesday, August 14, 2018 after battling cancer for 7 months. Peggy was born to a saintly mother, Emily Mann Hurley and a tart father, Roger Lee Hurley on August 12, 1969 in Cook County, Ill. Emily died in 2001 and Roger in 2013. Peggy attended Tupelo Public Schools, graduated Tupelo High School in 1987 and obtained two degrees from Itawamba Community College-one in Applied Science and the other in Automotive Technology. Peggy’s independence and
individualism was her trademark. She worked various places in her life but had a penchant as a master cook/chief. Hundreds over the years were beneficiaries of her culinary skills. Despite her notoriety, she had a heart and passion for troubled teenagers. She began a journey several years ago in her 40’s to obtain a BA in Social Work from the University of Mississippi. Diagnosed in February with stage 4 cancer, she was determined to complete her degree despite her illness and did so in May, 2018. Her professors and fellow students where so moved by her dogged determination, they established the Peggy Hurley Courage Award honoring her perseverance to be given every year to a social work student who
exemplifies her spunk, tenacity and courage. Peggy loved fishing, Fort Walton Beach, Fla. and cars especially her l972 blue metallic covertible Cutlass Supreme. She was a character of the first order and will be missed by her spouse, Moe and a large host of friends.
A life celebration will be held at 4 PM Friday, August 17, 2018 at the Tupelo Chapel of Holland Funeral Directors with her dear friend, Pastor Tony Caldwell, of the Underground Church in Oxford speaking as well as her Social Work Advisor/Professor Shane Robbins and close friend, Steve Holland. Burial will be in Lee Memorial Park. Friends may call between 5 PM-7PM today (Thurs.) at Holland-Tupelo Chapel including a Toast/Roast at 6 PM. Peggy leaves behind her spouse, Moe Bristow to whom she wedded on June 16, 2015; her sisters, Susan Quinn, Paulette Gutierrez and Amanda Hurley. Her nephew, Desmond Watkins and her nieces, Renae, and Cristina Gutierrez, Aaliyah Hurley and Jasmine Watkins. Special “sons”, Jonathan Kennedy and Joe Jackson and her mother in law, Cindy Kirk. a host of great friends everywhere. Pallbearers will be Joe Jackson, Jonathan Kennedy, Roy, Randall and Raymond Timms, Colton Miller, Vance and Mitch Kirk. Memorials may be made to St. Jude, 262 Danny Thomas Way, Memphis, Tenn. 38105 or to cancercardxchange.org.
