Peggy Joyce Fisher Penick's Obituary
Growing Up EarlyPeggy’s life journey began in Tullahoma, TN. One of three children born to Thomas Jefferson Fisher and Lola Louise Taylor Fisher, Peggy was given responsibility early on. At the age of three, Peggy’s father tragically passed away in an automobile accident on Monteagle Mountain. Peggy’s mother remained a single parent and by age eight, Peggy was already cooking, cleaning and helping to raise her brother.Football Player meets CheerleaderPeggy’s family moved to Nashville and Peggy received nomination from her schoolmates at Waverly Belmont Junior High to become a cheerleader, an honor bestowed upon her because she assisted them all with their schoolwork. She met 16-year-old football player, Buster Penick, at a square dance in Reservoir Park and married two years later. Buster and Peggy’s young love continued for 59 years, including four beautiful children.The Ultimate CaretakerAt Buster’s insistence, Peggy remained home to raise the children, which she did for twenty years. Peggy was energetic, loved and always there for her family. Her son Edward says “she was like an old pair of comfortable socks; she just never went anywhere.” Her comfort included a home that was well kept and filled with food and crafts. Peggy’s oldest daughter, Vickie, emphasized that Peggy was very particular about cleaning the house. Peggy was always cooking and baking; inventing her own recipes. Baking would begin about a month before the holidays, including treats such as: cookies, cakes, pies, and family favorite Amish bread. Peggy’s caretaking also included crafts. She made pillows, Christmas ornaments, numerous angels in dresses and quilts for all of her grandchildren.Beyond Raising the ChildrenPeggy had a work ethic beyond the domestic. Buster recalls that he made 400 or 500 birdhouses and Peggy sold them all. At age 29 Peggy got her driver’s license and shortly thereafter began a working career for J.C. Penny, where she remained for twenty years working in the girls department. Most of her earnings, Buster believes, were spent on bears. Peggy had a massive collection of Cherished Teddies and Beany Bears. Peggy’s collecting also included butterflies, angels, and tin pans. Her family acknowledged that Peggy became quite the “pack rat.”Timely TripsPeggy and Buster shared 60 years of trips together and enjoyed every moment. Buster was a member of the Shriners for 42 years and this encouraged much of their travel. They attended 22 consecutive conventions spanning from Detroit to Dallas, Miami to Denver, including two visits to Hawaii. Some of their trips captured timely moments in history including a stay in Memphis the day Elvis died and attendance at Daytona when Ernhardt hit the wall. The Lazy Days of SummerThough Peggy and Buster enjoyed travelling the world, many memorable summers were shared at their cabin in SummerHill Lake; their favorite vacation spot. Peggy would take the children and lunch down to the “swimming hole,” return to cabin for an early afternoon nap and venture back to the lake in the late afternoon. Evenings were spent cooking steaks on the big front porch and listening to the Opry. Peggy would entertain the children by playing cards and games, making crafts and telling stories. Buster would arrive late from work and he and Peggy would go to the Wishy Washy to do the laundry until midnight. Later, Peggy would continue the summer tradition with both grandchildren and great grandchildren.A Changed WomanPeggy was diagnosed in 1995 with colon cancer. She fought the cancer and became more outspoken and demanding than her early, shy years. Peggy’s attitude was “God left her on this earth for a reason and she was going to take full advantage of it.” She certainly did. Her son confesses that his mom was very outspoken, brutally honest sometimes. Peggy found a way to get what she wanted. Her daughter, Vickie, recalled phone messages she would get from her mom if she hadn’t called in a day or two saying, “Well, I’m still alive….my name is Peggy Joyce Penick.…my phone number is…. I would like you to call me to see if you’re still alive.”Peggy’s lack of subtlety also presented itself when she needed something new around the house. Buster came home to find a disassembled vacuum cleaner sitting at the front door; she wanted a new one. The same happened with the stove! Buster found his own method of dealing with his wife. “If I came home from work and she was upset for a reason, I’d say, ‘Okay, Peggy, pull your butt down from off of your shoulders and tell me what’s wrong.’ Then she’d have it out and that was it!” LegacyPeggy Joyce Fisher Penick passed away on June 11, 2012. She was preceded in death by her parents, Thomas Jefferson Fisher and Lola Louise Taylor Fisher, siblings Mary Elizabeth Fisher Pardue and James Edward Fisher, her son Michael Eugene Penick and granddaughter Sofia Lynn Bara. She is survived by her husband Buster Eugene Penick, children Vickie Lynn Bara (John), Sharon Elizabeth Tochtrop (Jim), and Edward Wayne Penick (Gayla), nine grandchildren and thirteen great-grandchildren.Peggy endlessly demonstrated her strength in caring for her family, loving her church, and living life to the fullest with her husband, Buster. “She was the real deal.”
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