Peggy J. (Patterson) Bean, 97, Lufkin

Funeral services for Peggy J. (Patterson) Bean, 97, of Lufkin will be held Saturday, May 4, 2024 at 10:00 a.m. in the Carroway Funeral Home Chapel with Brother Trey Ainsworth officiating. Interment will follow at Magnolia Cemetery in Woodville.

Mrs. Bean was born July 18, 1926 in Port Arthur, Texas to the late Velma Gertrude (Taylor) and James Robert Patterson, and died Saturday, April 27, 2024 in Lufkin at Pinnacle Senior Center

Peggy was a devoted wife and mother full of life, spunk, fun, wisdom and resilience. She fell in love at age 10 with her childhood sweetheart, Hugh Ray Bean, and was married to our Dad over 50 years.

In 1970, she began working as a teacher’s aide in Early Childhood and the elementary school. With her unique gifts in helping children, she later assisted in starting the first Life Skills class at Bridge City High School. Her impact made a difference in the lives of special needs children over a span of 23 years.

Our mom loved her family more than life. She was known as the family “Dancing Queen”, the “Baby Whisperer” and “Dear Abby” all wrapped up in one package. Dancing was a passion early in life, and she could out-dance any of us!  She was at the birth of every grandchild and great grandchild until she turned in her car keys at age 93. In her retirement years, she lived in a little lake house that became our lighthouse. It was a place of refuge where any one of us would go when in need of a hug, an understanding heart, laughter or wise counsel. Our Mom (also known as Mawmaw) not only celebrated every success with us, but also instilled confidence that we are enough, courage to never give up, and perseverance to try… then try again. Her wisdom came after decades of life experiences-the wonderful and the hard.  If you were especially blessed on a day with Mawmaw, there was a good chance a warm banana pudding or chocolate pie would appear right out of the oven-made just for you. Forever, we will remember the little light outside her door that led us to her.

But there is one greater gift our Mom gave us.  She taught us about Jesus, His love for us and how we are to live for Him.  For that, we are forever grateful.

So, this is not good-bye to our precious, giving, beloved mom, our Mawmaw; nor is this an ending to her story of almost 98 years.  This is…until we see you, again, Mom.

Survivors include her children and spouses, James Ray and Janie Bean of Lufkin, Penny and Dane “Swat” Ryle of Hughes Springs, Vickie and Paul Harvey of Austin, and Terry W. and Melinda Bean of Bridge City; 10 grandchildren; 23 great-grandchildren; and three great-great-grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her parents and husband, Hugh Ray Bean.

Memorial contributions may be made to her favorite charities, St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 501 Saint Jude Place, Memphis, Tennessee 38105, Shriner’s Hospitals for Children, Donor Development Office, 815 Market Street, Galveston, Texas 77550, or First Baptist Church Hemphill, P.O. Box 68, Hemphill, Texas 75948.

The family will welcome friends and loved ones from 9:00 to 10:00 a.m. Saturday morning prior to the services.

Memories and condolences may be added at http://www.carrowayfuneralhome.com.

Carroway Funeral Home, Lufkin, directors.