Bessie Lee “Peggy” Garbison, 100

Services for Bessie Lee “Peggy” Garbison, of Indian-ola, who celebrated her one hundredth year on Nov. 11, 2018, will be held at 11 a.m., Saturday, Oct. 19, at Fairview Community Church in rural Indianola. Burial of cremains will be in the Belmont Cemetery, Milo. Visitation will be from 10-11 a.m. at the church followed by the service from 11 a.m.-noon.

Peggy was born 11/11/1918 to Jesse Roscoe and Ethyl Bethynia (Dixon) Coleman of New Albany, MS. She went home to be with the Lord on Saturday, Oct. 5, 2019.

Peggy lost her mother at a very young age, and when her father remarried, a very young Peggy moved to Arkansas where she grew up and attended school in the Burdette and Blytheville, AR, area. Here she accepted Jesus as her Saviour. Peggy left her childhood home (stepmother Josie Coleman and nine siblings in the blended family) and traveled to Des Moines to attend The Open Bible School of Des Moines. While there, she stayed with a member of the Open Bible Church, Rhea Clark. While living with Rhea, Peggy met here future husband, Rhea’s brother, Jacob Garbison. They were married Nov. 11, 1940, at Open Bible Church in Des Moines despite a storied winter blizzard that blanketed the Midwest region. To this union were born four children: John, James, Mary, and Martha.

Peggy and Jake were in the ministry for 50 years. She was a dedicated homemaker and an integral partner of the ministry. They served in many Christian Union churches across the state of Iowa and Missouri, as well as the Lynnville Friends Church. She loved the people of the churches and had many lifelong, close friendships. Peggy enjoyed serving at various summer camps, including Tri-State Camp and Junior Camp in Iowa and Missouri and at Jerico Hills Camp in Lucas.

She was preceded in death by her husband Jake who passed away  Dec. 26, 1991, her parents, and her many brother and sisters Wayne, Roscoe, Tom, Julia, Jules, Pearl, and stepsiblings Anita Baker and Evertt Croslow.

Surviving Peggy is one sister Sammie Domino of Texarkana, TX; special cousin Glenn Thompson of Phoenix, AZ; children John (Donna) Garbison of Bethany, MO, James (Virginia) Garbison of Rogers, AR, Mary (Gary) Taylor of Indianola, and Martha (Frank) Longnecker of Denver, CO; grandchildren Jon (Ladonna) Garbison of Sheboygan, WI, Eric (Jodi) Garbison of Kansas City, MO, Katie (Greg) Paschal of Rogers, AR, Deanna Garbison of Indianapolis, IN, Deborah Garbison (Erin Callahan) of Greenfield, MN, James Taylor of Indianola, and Susan Lyons of Indianola; 19 great-grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews.

Peggy was known for her loving nature, a keen sense of humor, a joyful spirit, and a persistent reliance on God. She took great pleasure in cooking for family and friends and in sharing her faith.

To sign an online condolences, visit overtonfunerals.com.

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