Minnie Peggy Irene (Cowan) Bray was born November 21, 1932 to John Harris and Susan Cowan. She was 5th of 8 children and born in Greenfield, Missouri. Peggy graduated from Lowry City High School. She accepted Jesus at an early age. While attending high school she saw Richard Bray, the first sighting was not the best, as he was selling wood he had cut and was dirty from the work, unshaven and disheveled. The next day he was clean shaven, dressed up with black leather jacket and scarf and was so handsome Richard swept this beauty right off her feet and she found the love of her life. They married on July 4, 1951 and spent 50 years together loving their children and their families.
With Richard fishing and hunting to keep food on the table she spent years cooking, cleaning and loving each and every one of her babies. A wonderful mother who had food ready when the school bus came, she knew kids are always hungry. The smells of hot rolls wafted as they entered the door.
Peggy loved being a homemaker and mother. She spent tireless hours cooking, cleaning and staying up when the kids were sick and never once complained. When problems arose her advice was “don’t worry things will turn out alright.” She loved flowers, wood heat and watching her children play ball.
Many years were spent raising children who never went without what they needed, the greatest gift was the unwavering love of a mother. She was a quiet natured lady with great patience and never had an unkind word to say. She had the most beautiful kind eyes. She was willing to do anything she could to help others.
We are sure she spent many nights praying for her children. Babies would always gravitate to Mom for they felt the love that she had with the soft touch and a gentle smile. She helped babysit many of her grandchildren and their lives have been so moved by this wonderful grandma’s loving ways. Even at the last days of her life she opened her eyes long enough to view the newest of the great grandchildren. She was so proud to have each and every grandchild come for a visit when they could and always happy to see them. She had 28 grandchildren, 52 great grandchildren and 4 great-great grandchildren. Peggy’s life was devoted to her husband and family and grandchildren. She never asked for anything, she had all she ever wanted and that was her children and husband. Always content with what she had and took great care of those things.
The legacy she leaves is knowing that she loved each and everyone of her children unconditionally. Everyone knew if they needed her just where she coul be found. She lived her life knowing that a life is not measured by the material things, but by the love we leave behind.
She was preceded in death by her beloved husband Richard; a daughter, Debbie; her parents and sisters, Sharon Jones, Madge Cook, Lela Ramalia; an unnamed baby sister; her brothers, Harry and Jack Cowan
Peggy is survived by her children; Peggy (Leon) Raymond, Lynn (Mike) Westhusing, Brenda (John) Jurgensmeyer, Barbara (Dave) Smith, Rick Bray, Larry (Cheri) Bray, Gary Bray, Joyce (Rod) Clark and 28 grandkids, Richard, Brandon, Daniel, Doug, Nick, Andrea, Jerad, Ashley, Brooke, Anthony, Josh, Melissa, Tonya, Tamera, Nicki, Ryan, Shelby, Ellen, Christa, Dustin, Cody, Gabby, Bridget, Amanda, Debbie, Chloe, Jasmine and Andrew; 52 great grandkids and four great-great grandkids; 1 sister, Nora Green, numerous nieces, nephews and many friends.
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