Peggy Mitchell Power
Peggy Mitchell Power, age 84, of Breckenridge, peacefully passed away in the early afternoon on Monday, November 27, 2023. Funeral services will be held at 2 p.m. Saturday, December 2, at Morehart Mortuary with Will Thompson officiating; interment will follow in the Breckenridge Cemetery. Visitation will be held from 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. Friday, December 1, at Morehart Mortuary
Peggy Nell Mitchell was born January 27, 1939, in her maternal grandparents’ home in Lusk, Texas, to parents, Thomas Wayne Mitchell and Bonnie Bell Walker Mitchell. Peggy was raised on her father’s family farm in Elbert and went to school in Elbert until the beginning of high school when Elbert consolidated with Throckmorton ISD. The middle of her junior year the family moved to Breckenridge, but not until her basketball season had ended. (At that time, Breckenridge schools did not have a women’s basketball team.) Although this was a difficult time to move in a teen’s life, the transition to Breckenridge schools was made easier because she excelled in competitive sports, including volleyball. She graduated from Breckenridge High School in 1957 and was proud to have attended both schools and maintained lifelong friendships from each.
As early as 10 years of age, she would watch the weather with her father, worrying if and praying it would rain to produce crops in order to sustain the family. This led her to have internal fortitude, independence, and perseverance through trials and tribulations; Peggy was tough because she had to be. She came from meager means but always stayed true to her roots; humble and driven, she knew the value of hard work. After graduation, Peggy went to work for a company in Fort Worth; however, less than one year later she decided that living in the city was not for her. As soon as she could, she moved back home to Breckenridge where she worked in the office for Warren Petroleum/Gulf Oil/Chevron Corp., soon being promoted to office manager until her retirement after 34 years. For several months, Peggy enjoyed hobbies but eventually decided that retirement just didn’t suit her, so she went to work for the District Judge as Court Coordinator. Learning the workings of the legal system was just the challenge that she was up for. Upon the judge’s retirement, Peggy decided to go back to work for Hanlon Gas Processing for over 16 years until her third and final retirement.
When Peggy had free time, she enjoyed painting, gambling, baking, watching sports, and bowling. True to her competitive nature, she enjoyed travelling throughout Texas in her 20s and 30s where she won numerous bowling tournaments and trophies. Her homemade pies were sought after. She had a heart for animals and always took in strays who were dumped at her home in the country. Most of all, she loved spending time with her family and was a proud Grammie to her only grandchild, Jaxon Ray Hill. She was a member of Church of Christ.
She was preceded in death by her parents; her first husband, Jimmy Ray Hill; and her second husband, Thomas Scott Power.
Peggy is survived by her two children, Jason Hill and wife Shannon of Katy, and Janet Hill Taylor and husband Ken of Breckenridge; two siblings, Russell Mitchell of Breckenridge and Patsy Sue Mitchell Wolfe and husband Bob of Fairbanks, Alaska; one grandson, Jaxon Ray Hill; nephew, Paxton Mitchell and husband Kyle Kundomal of Dallas; and her housemate and cat, Red.
Pallbearers will be Dwain Brannan, Sid Curry, Ricky Deubler, John Tarpley, Gary Tarver, and Jacky Walker.
Memorials may be made to the Stephens County Humane Society or to Meals on Wheels and may be left at Morehart Mortuary. Condolences may be made online at www.morehartmortuary.net.
