Peggy Jones

Peggy was born to Clement and Helen (Kretschmer) Dudensing in Haskell County, Texas on September 4, 1957. She passed away on August 9, 2025.

Memorial services will take place at Elmwood Funeral Home on Hwy 277. Visitation on Friday, August 15 from 6-8 p.m.; Celebration of Life on Saturday, August 16 at 3 p.m.

Peggy grew up on their family farm tending chickens and doing farm chores. She attended Paint Creek schools and graduated from Texas Tech University with a bachelor's degree in food and nutrition.

Peggy was a member of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics and a Registered Dietitian. Her professional career was spent in food service management and consulting for hospitals and nursing homes.

Following her college graduation, Peggy married Billy Eugene (Gene) Jones on December 31, 1978. The wedding took place at Bethel Lutheran Church in Ericksdahl in the middle of a severe ice and snowstorm which made it difficult to travel to the church. Despite the weather the church was filled with family and friends. They were happily married for 34 years until an auto accident claimed Gene's life. She remained very close with Gene's family. She was an unselfish and caring person who valued people more than material possessions. She was always there for family and friends in time of need. She loved beach vacations with grandkids, travel, mysteries and thrillers, and gardening. She never had enough plants.

The simple sayings posted by Peggy in her home expressed her feelings. The Gathering Place Where Friends Become Family, Welcome to Our Porch, and This Home is Built on Love and Shenanigans. She was always game for hosting a gathering. Every holiday included a meal for family, friends, and strangers. Everyone was welcome.

The back porch was her favorite place to be. She relaxed in the natural world of Willow Pond, enjoying her flower beds, watching ducks assemble for free grain each afternoon, enjoying the lights in the yard at night, and watching Gracie, then Harley, rid the yard of squirrels and lizards! She loved her dogs and cats. They loved her. She leaves two dearly loved four-legged kids, Harley and Smudge.

In recent years she joined the Abilene Woman's Club Foundation where she made many new friends.

Her relationship with Gary Casey began with a casual lunch invitation. The lunch lasted for hours, filled with laughter and talking. A friendship developed from that lunch that turned into a partnership built on common interests and love.

She shared Gary's interest in craft brewing by taking a course in brewing. She excelled in the art of brewing and was voted Brewer of the Year twice in recent years. She focused much time and attention on supporting, encouraging, and enriching the lives of Gary's grandchildren, Hannah and Micah.

She was preceded in death by her parents Clement and Helen and husband Gene.

She is survived by her immediate family: two brothers, Kenneth Dudensing (Becky) and Glenn Dudensing (Debbie) and their families: nephews and nieces Jeff (Rebekka), Matthew (Stephanie), and Jamie Redmond (Mack), Michelle Calderon (Jesus) and great nephews and nieces (Corbin, Carter, Anson, Austin, Hank, Samuel, Barrett and Blaine and a great foster child Sylas).

Survivors include the family of her deceased husband, Gene Jones In-laws Jane Jones, Betty Allday, Jo Ann Jones, Lonell Jones, and Chris Jones (Judy) and nieces (Debbie Prichard (Bob), Jill Loar (Scott), Tammy Baker (Ken), Tiffany Doan (David), and Cozy Jones.

She is also survived by the family of her loving partner, Gary Casey and his grandkids (Hannah and Micah).

She was resilient and faced her life's challenges with quiet acceptance and courage. She was loved and will be missed.