Peggy Jane (McCarley) Polk of McKinney, Texas, passed away peacefully on March 13, 2020, just shy of her 92nd birthday. She was born on April 7, 1928, to Era "Tip" and Annie “Kathryn” McCarley at their home. Peggy grew up with her brothers Bob and Hugh, and she said the three of them were a "unit." She also adored her baby brother James, whom was born when Peggy was 16, and her baby sister, Annie, whom was born when she was 22 and loved much like her own child. Peggy graduated from McKinney Boyd High School in 1945 and went on to college at her beloved TCU (Go Frogs!), where she met Garland Dale Polk. Peggy and Garland married on June 12, 1949, at First Christian Church where they remained lifetime members. She taught elementary school in Austin and later in Fort Worth, where she met a little boy, James Zeig, who always held a special place in her heart. In 1954, Peggy became mother to a baby girl, Molly Kathryn (Polk) Engler, who was the light of her life. They returned to McKinney in 1962, where Peggy taught first grade. Eventually she joined her husband Garland and brother Hugh to help run the family store, P & M Furniture and Gift Shop, in downtown McKinney until they retired in 1997.
Although Peggy was a no-nonsense lady, she was also incredibly wise. She felt blessed to have so many life-long friends and cherished them all, such as her dear friend George Webb, a family friend of over 70 years. Peggy was a member of the Halcyon Club, enjoyed playing in her bridge club, travelling across the U.S., taking trips to the ocean and mountains, going to musicals, reading, and writing. But above all, she loved her family. For Peggy, there was no greater joy than being surrounded by her grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
She is survived by her loving daughter, Molly (Polk) Engler and husband, Dennis Engler; granddaughters, Amanda Osborne and husband, Thomas, Melissa Gill and husband, Pete, and Megan Babcock and husband, Kevin; grandson, Justin Engler and wife, Sara; great-grandchildren, Barrett, Harrison, Madeline, Samuel, Reagan, Annie, Jackson, Brooklyn, Beckett, Hazel, Baker, and Hudson; brother, James McCarley; sister, Annie McCarley and many beloved nieces and nephews.
Peggy is preceded in death by her husband, Garland Polk; parents, Era and Annie “Kathryn” McCarley; and her brothers, Bob McCarley and Hugh McCarley.
A graveside service will be held at 2:00 p.m., Saturday, March 21, 2020 at Ridgeview Memorial Park, 2525 Central Expressway North, Allen, Texas 75013. Family and friends are invited to the funeral home at their convenience on Friday to pay their respects and to sign the register book.
A celebration of Peggy's life will be held at a later date.
Memorial contributions may be made to First Christian Church, McKinney, Texas-Austin York Fund, 1800 West Hunt Street, McKinney, Texas, 75069.