Peggy Bickham

Peggy Ann Bickham Calallen, Texas Peggy Ann Bickham, a beautiful soul, passed quietly into the arms of her loving Savior on July 24, 2016 after a short battle with cancer. She was at home, surrounded by her family. Born Peggy Ann Lisemby on October 26, 1936 in Watt, Texas, to Naomi (Kelley) and Charles Clifton Lisemby, the family lived in Mart and Corpus Christi, before settling in Robstown. Peggy graduated from Robstown HS where she was a twirler for the Cottonpickers. It was in this area where she first caught the eye of Gordon Bickham, and they were married on Sept 4, 1954 at Central Baptist Church in Robstown. The couple settled in Calallen, building a home where they resided for nearly 62 years, and raising a family among relatives and lifelong friends. Peggy worked at the J.W. Cunningham Water plant, and the State National Bank of Robstown, before finding her calling as a home childcare provider. For 35 years over 80 different children played in the halls and fields of "Mama Peggy’s" house. Through the years, she loved, disciplined, and spoiled them as her own. Throughout her life, Peggy served her community with faith and dedication. She loved history, serving as a member of the Nueces County Historical Commission, Nueces County Historical Society, and was one of the earliest supporters and advocates for the Robstown Area Historical Museum. She was active in Camp Fire USA and served as Precinct Chairman and Election Judge for many years. Peggy’s home was always decorated for any holiday, with plenty of handmade ornaments and light switch covers. She often cooked large family meals for her immediate, extended and church families. Her home was open to all comers, and she was always diligent about giving everyone she knew a place to have holiday meals. She and Gordon would often travel with friends and family, taking in many of this nation's wonders. They would travel by car, truck or camper, eating sandwiches from an ice chest that Peggy had lovingly packed. Peggy was a surrogate mom to more people than we will probably ever know. Always willing to lend a sympathetic ear, she was a sounding board for anything anyone needed to talk about. Never forgetting a birthday, an anniversary, or what was happening in someone's life, she was a prolific writer of cards, notes and letters. As one friend recently noted, she was the embodiment of all that you admire in a person. She touched the lives of most that she met during her 79 years on this earth. Peggy was a longtime member of the Highway 44 Church of Christ in Robstown and a tremendous example of what a Christian should be. Her quiet and humble appearance belied inner strength, faith and wisdom that served as an anchor for many around her. She was truly, a good and faithful servant. Peggy is survived by her husband of nearly 62 years, Gordon Keith Bickham; 2 sons, Keith (Kimberly) Bickham of Spring, TX; Duane (Susan) Bickham of Friendswood, TX; a brother, Frank (Donna) Fritz of Rockwall, TX; 9 grandchildren, Amber (Bob) Erickson of San Antonio, TX; Charlie, Cody & Chance Wakefield of San Antonio, TX; Kaitlin (Brian) Cannon of Rogers, AR; Joseph Keith and Karch Bickham of Spring, TX; and Hannah and Zeke Bickham of Friendswood, TX. She was preceded in death by her daughter, Ruby Wakefield, her parents Naomi and Clifton, a step-father Frank Fritz, Sr., and 2 sisters, Margie (Fritz) Taylor and Gloria Fritz. Pallbearers will be Charlie, Cody & Chance Wakefield, Joseph Keith, Karch and Zeke Bickham. Visitation will be held at Sawyer-George Funeral Home, Tuesday, August 2, 2016 from, 5-7 p.m. Funeral services will be Wednesday, August 3, 2016, at Highway 44 Church of Christ, 301 West Avenue J., Robstown, TX at 10 a.m. with burial to follow at Robstown Memorial Park on FM 1889. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that contributions be sent to Highway 44 Church of Christ or the Robstown Area Historical Museum (201 E. Main Ave/P.O. Box 467, Robstown, TX 78380 www.robstownahm.org).