Parents: Doyle and Lucille Wright
Peggy's ex-husband: Charles Balcomb
Their children: Peggy, Edward and Judy.
(Her sister said she was buried in Old Harmony Cemetery where the large oak tree fell during a storm a few years ago. Peggy already had her tombstone placed, but apparently it is still underground.)
~ ~ ~ ~
Peggy June Balcomb
October 25, 1934 – December 10, 2022
Collier-Butler Funeral Home
Obituary copied from funeral home website:
I want to tell you the story of a survivor, Peggy June Balcomb. She is the second born daughter to Doyle and Lucille Wright. Life was not easy or stable. Alcoholism was a thread that ran through the first half of her life, with her parents both struggling with alcoholism and, at times, not taking proper care of the children. There was often not enough food or proper clothing. Schooling was not a priority and she only made it about as far as the 8th grade. Being second born, she felt a great responsibility to care for her younger siblings giving them the love their parents didn't give. As a young girl, the parents would often disappear for days leaving the children with no food. Much to her grandfather's chagrin, she would go catch one of his chickens, behead it, pluck it and prepare it for the children to eat.
Neglected, but strong and unstoppable. She survived.
At 16, she fell madly in love and married Charles Balcomb. He was handsome, smart and everyone loved him. They had their first born, Peggy (Lucy), within the year and a son, Edward, two years later. It was the perfect, beautiful family. Tragically, alcoholism overtook Charles and tore her world apart. When she became pregnant with her third child, Judy, Charles left her with no resources to care for herself and their children. She was taken in by his brother Billy and his family. He only returned after Judy was born. As his alcoholism became more advanced and he became more abusive and less dependable, she, with a broken heart and few resources, knew she had to create an exit plan. A lack of formal education and being surrounded by negligent parents and an abusive husband for her entire life led to a lack of self-confidence, but make no mistake – she was smart, responsible, hard working and determined. Things a formal education do not guarantee.
With that determination, she went to work at Kmart knowing she would need money and benefits to escape. She knew she could not support herself and three children on these earnings, but the two older children were getting older and looking forward to starting their lives outside of the dysfunction. She felt she could make enough to support herself and her youngest child. And she did.
She worked hard, suffered continued abuse and heartbreak, but survived.
After a few more years, she made the break. Although Charles continued to come and go throughout the years continuing to abuse, torment, steal and betray, she – with a broken, but loving heart - took control of her destiny and worked at Kmart for the next 22 years. It wasn't glamorous. The wages were low and the work took a toll on her body, but moving back to her home town of Gadsden allowed her to rent a small house across the highway from the East Gadsden Kmart where she could walk to work. At that point, she had never learned to drive. As the years passed, she learned to drive and got an old 1963 Dodge Dart to give her more independence.
With determination, hard work and love for her family; she survived.
The deepest and strongest thread that has run through her life is love. Deep love for her children and grandchildren. She played a huge role in helping to raise the five grandchildren who lived closest to her. She provided Herculean support to both daughters when there were health issues. Always there, caring for them and their children and holding back the tidal waves that threatened to overtake them. Always present. Always dependable. Always loving.
Through deep love and unmeasurable strength, they survived.
After all of the turmoil of her younger years, she finally found peace in a nice "boring" life. She retired in Gadsden in an apartment she loved. She is a force of nature and always has been. It is rare for someone of her generation in the South to be so progressive in her acceptance of all people. She welcomed anyone her granddaughters befriended or dated, regardless of race, sexual orientation, or gender identity; and they feel her love. She supports a world where health care is available to all as a human right. To the end, at 88, she was vocal of her support for human rights and dignity for all.
She survives through the love of her family; and the legacy of strong women she left behind.
.
Peggy's ex-husband: Charles Balcomb
Their children: Peggy, Edward and Judy.
(Her sister said she was buried in Old Harmony Cemetery where the large oak tree fell during a storm a few years ago. Peggy already had her tombstone placed, but apparently it is still underground.)
~ ~ ~ ~
Peggy June Balcomb
October 25, 1934 – December 10, 2022
Collier-Butler Funeral Home
Obituary copied from funeral home website:
I want to tell you the story of a survivor, Peggy June Balcomb. She is the second born daughter to Doyle and Lucille Wright. Life was not easy or stable. Alcoholism was a thread that ran through the first half of her life, with her parents both struggling with alcoholism and, at times, not taking proper care of the children. There was often not enough food or proper clothing. Schooling was not a priority and she only made it about as far as the 8th grade. Being second born, she felt a great responsibility to care for her younger siblings giving them the love their parents didn't give. As a young girl, the parents would often disappear for days leaving the children with no food. Much to her grandfather's chagrin, she would go catch one of his chickens, behead it, pluck it and prepare it for the children to eat.
Neglected, but strong and unstoppable. She survived.
At 16, she fell madly in love and married Charles Balcomb. He was handsome, smart and everyone loved him. They had their first born, Peggy (Lucy), within the year and a son, Edward, two years later. It was the perfect, beautiful family. Tragically, alcoholism overtook Charles and tore her world apart. When she became pregnant with her third child, Judy, Charles left her with no resources to care for herself and their children. She was taken in by his brother Billy and his family. He only returned after Judy was born. As his alcoholism became more advanced and he became more abusive and less dependable, she, with a broken heart and few resources, knew she had to create an exit plan. A lack of formal education and being surrounded by negligent parents and an abusive husband for her entire life led to a lack of self-confidence, but make no mistake – she was smart, responsible, hard working and determined. Things a formal education do not guarantee.
With that determination, she went to work at Kmart knowing she would need money and benefits to escape. She knew she could not support herself and three children on these earnings, but the two older children were getting older and looking forward to starting their lives outside of the dysfunction. She felt she could make enough to support herself and her youngest child. And she did.
She worked hard, suffered continued abuse and heartbreak, but survived.
After a few more years, she made the break. Although Charles continued to come and go throughout the years continuing to abuse, torment, steal and betray, she – with a broken, but loving heart - took control of her destiny and worked at Kmart for the next 22 years. It wasn't glamorous. The wages were low and the work took a toll on her body, but moving back to her home town of Gadsden allowed her to rent a small house across the highway from the East Gadsden Kmart where she could walk to work. At that point, she had never learned to drive. As the years passed, she learned to drive and got an old 1963 Dodge Dart to give her more independence.
With determination, hard work and love for her family; she survived.
The deepest and strongest thread that has run through her life is love. Deep love for her children and grandchildren. She played a huge role in helping to raise the five grandchildren who lived closest to her. She provided Herculean support to both daughters when there were health issues. Always there, caring for them and their children and holding back the tidal waves that threatened to overtake them. Always present. Always dependable. Always loving.
Through deep love and unmeasurable strength, they survived.
After all of the turmoil of her younger years, she finally found peace in a nice "boring" life. She retired in Gadsden in an apartment she loved. She is a force of nature and always has been. It is rare for someone of her generation in the South to be so progressive in her acceptance of all people. She welcomed anyone her granddaughters befriended or dated, regardless of race, sexual orientation, or gender identity; and they feel her love. She supports a world where health care is available to all as a human right. To the end, at 88, she was vocal of her support for human rights and dignity for all.
She survives through the love of her family; and the legacy of strong women she left behind.
.
Parents: Doyle and Lucille Wright
Peggy's ex-husband: Charles Balcomb
Their children: Peggy, Edward and Judy.
(Her sister said she was buried in Old Harmony Cemetery where the large oak tree fell during a storm a few years ago. Peggy already had her tombstone placed, but apparently it is still underground.)
~ ~ ~ ~
Peggy June Balcomb
October 25, 1934 – December 10, 2022
Collier-Butler Funeral Home
Obituary copied from funeral home website:
I want to tell you the story of a survivor, Peggy June Balcomb. She is the second born daughter to Doyle and Lucille Wright. Life was not easy or stable. Alcoholism was a thread that ran through the first half of her life, with her parents both struggling with alcoholism and, at times, not taking proper care of the children. There was often not enough food or proper clothing. Schooling was not a priority and she only made it about as far as the 8th grade. Being second born, she felt a great responsibility to care for her younger siblings giving them the love their parents didn't give. As a young girl, the parents would often disappear for days leaving the children with no food. Much to her grandfather's chagrin, she would go catch one of his chickens, behead it, pluck it and prepare it for the children to eat.
Neglected, but strong and unstoppable. She survived.
At 16, she fell madly in love and married Charles Balcomb. He was handsome, smart and everyone loved him. They had their first born, Peggy (Lucy), within the year and a son, Edward, two years later. It was the perfect, beautiful family. Tragically, alcoholism overtook Charles and tore her world apart. When she became pregnant with her third child, Judy, Charles left her with no resources to care for herself and their children. She was taken in by his brother Billy and his family. He only returned after Judy was born. As his alcoholism became more advanced and he became more abusive and less dependable, she, with a broken heart and few resources, knew she had to create an exit plan. A lack of formal education and being surrounded by negligent parents and an abusive husband for her entire life led to a lack of self-confidence, but make no mistake – she was smart, responsible, hard working and determined. Things a formal education do not guarantee.
With that determination, she went to work at Kmart knowing she would need money and benefits to escape. She knew she could not support herself and three children on these earnings, but the two older children were getting older and looking forward to starting their lives outside of the dysfunction. She felt she could make enough to support herself and her youngest child. And she did.
She worked hard, suffered continued abuse and heartbreak, but survived.
After a few more years, she made the break. Although Charles continued to come and go throughout the years continuing to abuse, torment, steal and betray, she – with a broken, but loving heart - took control of her destiny and worked at Kmart for the next 22 years. It wasn't glamorous. The wages were low and the work took a toll on her body, but moving back to her home town of Gadsden allowed her to rent a small house across the highway from the East Gadsden Kmart where she could walk to work. At that point, she had never learned to drive. As the years passed, she learned to drive and got an old 1963 Dodge Dart to give her more independence.
With determination, hard work and love for her family; she survived.
The deepest and strongest thread that has run through her life is love. Deep love for her children and grandchildren. She played a huge role in helping to raise the five grandchildren who lived closest to her. She provided Herculean support to both daughters when there were health issues. Always there, caring for them and their children and holding back the tidal waves that threatened to overtake them. Always present. Always dependable. Always loving.
Through deep love and unmeasurable strength, they survived.
After all of the turmoil of her younger years, she finally found peace in a nice "boring" life. She retired in Gadsden in an apartment she loved. She is a force of nature and always has been. It is rare for someone of her generation in the South to be so progressive in her acceptance of all people. She welcomed anyone her granddaughters befriended or dated, regardless of race, sexual orientation, or gender identity; and they feel her love. She supports a world where health care is available to all as a human right. To the end, at 88, she was vocal of her support for human rights and dignity for all.
She survives through the love of her family; and the legacy of strong women she left behind.
.
Peggy's ex-husband: Charles Balcomb
Their children: Peggy, Edward and Judy.
(Her sister said she was buried in Old Harmony Cemetery where the large oak tree fell during a storm a few years ago. Peggy already had her tombstone placed, but apparently it is still underground.)
~ ~ ~ ~
Peggy June Balcomb
October 25, 1934 – December 10, 2022
Collier-Butler Funeral Home
Obituary copied from funeral home website:
I want to tell you the story of a survivor, Peggy June Balcomb. She is the second born daughter to Doyle and Lucille Wright. Life was not easy or stable. Alcoholism was a thread that ran through the first half of her life, with her parents both struggling with alcoholism and, at times, not taking proper care of the children. There was often not enough food or proper clothing. Schooling was not a priority and she only made it about as far as the 8th grade. Being second born, she felt a great responsibility to care for her younger siblings giving them the love their parents didn't give. As a young girl, the parents would often disappear for days leaving the children with no food. Much to her grandfather's chagrin, she would go catch one of his chickens, behead it, pluck it and prepare it for the children to eat.
Neglected, but strong and unstoppable. She survived.
At 16, she fell madly in love and married Charles Balcomb. He was handsome, smart and everyone loved him. They had their first born, Peggy (Lucy), within the year and a son, Edward, two years later. It was the perfect, beautiful family. Tragically, alcoholism overtook Charles and tore her world apart. When she became pregnant with her third child, Judy, Charles left her with no resources to care for herself and their children. She was taken in by his brother Billy and his family. He only returned after Judy was born. As his alcoholism became more advanced and he became more abusive and less dependable, she, with a broken heart and few resources, knew she had to create an exit plan. A lack of formal education and being surrounded by negligent parents and an abusive husband for her entire life led to a lack of self-confidence, but make no mistake – she was smart, responsible, hard working and determined. Things a formal education do not guarantee.
With that determination, she went to work at Kmart knowing she would need money and benefits to escape. She knew she could not support herself and three children on these earnings, but the two older children were getting older and looking forward to starting their lives outside of the dysfunction. She felt she could make enough to support herself and her youngest child. And she did.
She worked hard, suffered continued abuse and heartbreak, but survived.
After a few more years, she made the break. Although Charles continued to come and go throughout the years continuing to abuse, torment, steal and betray, she – with a broken, but loving heart - took control of her destiny and worked at Kmart for the next 22 years. It wasn't glamorous. The wages were low and the work took a toll on her body, but moving back to her home town of Gadsden allowed her to rent a small house across the highway from the East Gadsden Kmart where she could walk to work. At that point, she had never learned to drive. As the years passed, she learned to drive and got an old 1963 Dodge Dart to give her more independence.
With determination, hard work and love for her family; she survived.
The deepest and strongest thread that has run through her life is love. Deep love for her children and grandchildren. She played a huge role in helping to raise the five grandchildren who lived closest to her. She provided Herculean support to both daughters when there were health issues. Always there, caring for them and their children and holding back the tidal waves that threatened to overtake them. Always present. Always dependable. Always loving.
Through deep love and unmeasurable strength, they survived.
After all of the turmoil of her younger years, she finally found peace in a nice "boring" life. She retired in Gadsden in an apartment she loved. She is a force of nature and always has been. It is rare for someone of her generation in the South to be so progressive in her acceptance of all people. She welcomed anyone her granddaughters befriended or dated, regardless of race, sexual orientation, or gender identity; and they feel her love. She supports a world where health care is available to all as a human right. To the end, at 88, she was vocal of her support for human rights and dignity for all.
She survives through the love of her family; and the legacy of strong women she left behind.
.
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