Peggy Joyce Kibbe

Peggy Joyce Kibbe, 89, recently of Asheville NC, was born in Memphis Tennessee, to Carl and Alice Densford and passed away at CarePartners Hospice Solace, in Asheville, NC.  Peggy moved to Asheville in 2021, after 65+ years in Hurst/Bedford, TX.

Peggy loved being a wife to Lee, who was her faithful, devoted companion for 68 years, through all circumstances of life, truly in sickness and in health. She lost Lee to dementia in the years leading up to his passing in 2021.  She missed him deeply, but celebrated their life together and her belief that he is waiting for her in Heaven.

She loved being a parent and adored her children, grandchildren and now, great-grandchild. Her role in their lives had an enormous impact on who they are and how they live and love life.

Peggy loved teaching high school and considered teaching her vocation, leading her to go to college as a mother of 3 to earn her BA and start teaching.  After Lupus forced her to stop full time teaching, she loved substitute teaching and was the longest-serving sub in HEB. Peggy also loved teaching the Bible and began teaching Sunday School at the age of 25. 

Her faith in God’s promises was unshakeable. She loved to tell how God intervened in her 15-year bout with severe Lupus, and she was healed from that incurable disease.  She had many major health issues through the decades, and her Faith in Jesus was her rock. For many years, Peggy belonged to North Richland Hills Baptist Church, TX.  After her Asheville move, she received great solace as a member of Spartanburg Baptist Church, SC, and their broadcast services.

Peggy treasured her close relationship and friendship with her sisters and her many dear friends, as an integral part of her life and one of God’s greatest gifts to her.  She loved to cook and opened her home in hospitality at every opportunity. 

Today, Peggy would be called a charismatic servant-leader. Her faith, life and natural talents meant she was driven to serve, organize and lead.  When she focused on a project, others naturally engaged and followed.  She organized and co-led over 40 group tour trips to Europe;  one year her Sunday School class made 75 blankets for underprivileged children;  the year of Gingerbread houses led to 27 gifts to friends and families who needed some Christmas joy;  her school classes caller her the ‘brownie lady’ because she would bring her ‘lucky brownies’ to all her classes every semester over the decades;  she wrote 3 books, including “Are We There Yet” recounting funny and poignant stories from her many trips.

Peggy loved her Lord, her family, her friends, and she loved to help others.  She will be greatly missed.

Surviving Peggy are son, Kenneth Lee Kibbe (Susan) of Colorado Springs, CO; daughters, Linda Kaye Gilpin (Michael) of Asheville, NC and Anita Gayle Kibbe of Bedford, TX; grandchildren, Kevin Kibbe of Wylie, TX, Laura Gilpin of Asheville, NC, Brian Kibbe (Lory Mishra) of Chicago, IL, Brent Mayorga (Kate) of Bedford, TX, Sarah Ward (Trevor) of Bedford, TX, and Walker Lee Ward, of Bedford, TX; sisters Kay Hance  and Dianne McMahan of AR; and niece Martha Alice Hopkins (John Fulmer) of Austin TX.

A memorial service to celebrate Peggy’s life, will be held at Forest Ridge Funeral Home and Memorial Park Chapel, 8525 Mid Cities Blvd., North Richland Hills, TX 76182, officiated by Rhonda Smith.  In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.