Margaret Clydene (Peggy) Fowler passed away June 24, 2025 in Colleyville, Texas. She was 94 years old. Peggy was born November 22, 1930 in Chicago, Illinois to Clyde M. Saxton and Miranda Lea Farnan Saxton.
Peggy’s life in her younger years was full of changes. Her mother raised her and her brother Bill by herself and so they moved often during the depression years to find work or to go back and live with family in Tulsa, Oklahoma. Peggy had numerous stories of bus rides to move to a city, of new schools to go to, and of her mom packing a trunk and arriving in a new city trying to find a place to live. In spite of the many moves, challenges and uncertainties, Peggy spoke all her life of her appreciation for her mother’s care, persistence and indomitable spirit as she cared and provided for Bill and Peggy.
During her high school years, the family moved to Ann Arbor, Michigan. While at Ann Arbor High School, Peggy met Gene Fowler, a classmate who had moved to Ann Arbor from Corning, Arkansas. A romance bloomed while they were in high school and working at a soda fountain, and they were married a year after graduation on September 3,1949.
Peg and Gene lived a great life together. Gene had a successful career as a banker in Ann Arbor and Peg was his devoted wife, helper and encourager. Peggy was a devoted and tireless mother and wife. She worked for many years as a program director for Jack and Jill Day Care and yet she always had time and energy to take care of her three sons, Bill, Bob and John.
Peg and Gene were surrounded by countless friends. They were involved in community activities, played golf, actively supported the boys in youth sports, and were well-known in Ann Arbor. Peggy also was the first woman chosen to serve as a Board Member for Michigan Christian Youth Camp.
However, Peg and Gene’s deepest and most lasting connections came from their two church families, first at the Ann Arbor Church of Christ and then at the Sun Valley Church of Christ in Mesa. Over nearly 70 years, Peggy faithfully served the church and counted her service as her greatest source of joy. Even in the last years of her life it was not uncommon for someone from years ago to reach out to her and tell her how much she had helped them or encouraged them in some way.
Peggy entered a new season of her life after Gene died in 2008. She stayed in Mesa and took care of herself for 17 years. Peggy made new connections and found a way to exercise her always competitive spirit by playing cards with neighbors at the Sunland Springs community and by hosting friends in her home. She remained active at Sun Valley Church and frequently would take people to lunch or have them to her home for dinner.
Peggy is survived by her three sons, Bill and Carol Fowler of Abilene, Texas; Bob and Karin Fowler of Westlake Village, California, John and Bev Fowler of Keller, Texas; grandchildren, Johnny Fowler and his wife Sherry, Jeff Fowler and his wife Carrie, Lauren Fowler, Lindy Fowler, Courtney Fowler and Cassidy Fowler; Great grandchildren- Cameron Fowler, Emma Fowler, Easton Fowler and Ella Fowler.
Peggy will be remembered for her zest for living, for her competitive, independent spirit, for her love for Gene, for her love for her family and for her commitment to God. We will miss her and are thankful for her life and for the ways she loved us and shaped us.
In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts may be made to Michigan Christian Youth Camp, 820 North Lake George Rd., Attica, MI 48412 or mcyc.org
Visitation with the family will take place on Tuesday, July 8, from 5:00-7:00PM at the Sun Valley Church of Christ, 1015 N. Recker Rd., Gilbert, AZ.
The Funeral Service will be on Wednesday, July 9 at 11:00AM, also at the Sun Valley Church of Christ.
Ramona and I had to move from Michigan to Mesa, where we really got to know Gene and Peggy. For 23 years, we were their neighbors and attended church with them We are so glad that our paths crossed both in Michigan and in Arizona . And as Peggy and I often joked,” It is what it is”. .
Peggy Fowler was my aunt on my father’s side. All while I was growing up in Michigan, our families spent most holidays together. My cousins, my siblings and I would play all sorts of games while the adults prepared the incredible meals we shared. Aunt Peggy would shue, us sometimes, unruley kids from the kitchen as she, my mom and other aunts were busy preparing the food. Uncle Gene would always lead us in prayer before sitting to share the bounty. Those were some of my favorite memories growing up.
The past 10 years or so, we reconnected through annual visits to Mesa. I thank the Good Lord for making those memorable visits possible. Aunt Peggy will always be in my heart. I loved her dearly and the world will be a little less beautiful without her.
Aunt Peggy’s obituary was a beautiful reflection of her life of servanthood to God, family, and her friends! I’ll always be grateful to have spent time in her home in Mesa years ago after Uncle Gene’s passing and also on another vacation trip where we spent hours remembering family events and times together. I am joyful that she is now in the presence of her Lord. I am blessed to have e had her and all the Fowler family in my life.❤️
Bill and Carol,
Peggy was a force of nature! I’m so glad that you were blessed to have her all these years. Thinking of and praying for you all.
This sweet woman was my very first counselor at MCYC and had such an impact on me! I’d spend every summer from that first one at the camp. I’ll never forget you Peggy♥️♥️♥️
I am so sorry. I was looking forward to her moving to Texas and we all planned to visit her. I have wonderful memories of her at Michigan Christian youth camp
Loved reconnecting with her on Facebook
Don’t forget her appearance on jeopardy
Peggy and her family were part of our church family for many years in Ann Arbor, Michigan, and was like an aunt to me and my sisters growing up! We have so many wonderful memories of being with her and Gene and the boys! A lot of laughter and lots of good food and fellowship! I’m sure our parents were there greeting her in Heaven, along with Gene! We love the Fowlers! God bless!
Bill, Bob & John,
Your family was always considered family to ours and a major part of our childhood memories. Thankfully, we have the faith that we will see them again someday. Blessings to all of you.
Bill, Bob and John,
So sorry to hear of Peggy’s passing. Your family was always considered our family and most of our childhood memories included you. Blessings and love to you and your families.
What a beautiful service for a wonderful lady! Peggy was a dear friend whom we met when she and Gene came to AZ for the winter. We shared our faith, our genealogy hobby and a new relationship when we discovered that Gene and Joe were distant cousins. Oh, how we laughed at some of the silliest things as we ate together, traveled together and just enjoyed time together! We will miss our dear Peggy but take great comfort in knowing she is with her beloved savior. To all of her family, you are in our hearts and prayers!
Ramona and I had to move from Michigan to Mesa, where we really got to know Gene and Peggy. For 23 years, we were their neighbors and attended church with them We are so glad that our paths crossed both in Michigan and in Arizona . And as Peggy and I often joked,” It is what it is”. .
Peggy Fowler was my aunt on my father’s side. All while I was growing up in Michigan, our families spent most holidays together. My cousins, my siblings and I would play all sorts of games while the adults prepared the incredible meals we shared. Aunt Peggy would shue, us sometimes, unruley kids from the kitchen as she, my mom and other aunts were busy preparing the food. Uncle Gene would always lead us in prayer before sitting to share the bounty. Those were some of my favorite memories growing up.
The past 10 years or so, we reconnected through annual visits to Mesa. I thank the Good Lord for making those memorable visits possible. Aunt Peggy will always be in my heart. I loved her dearly and the world will be a little less beautiful without her.
Aunt Peggy’s obituary was a beautiful reflection of her life of servanthood to God, family, and her friends! I’ll always be grateful to have spent time in her home in Mesa years ago after Uncle Gene’s passing and also on another vacation trip where we spent hours remembering family events and times together. I am joyful that she is now in the presence of her Lord. I am blessed to have e had her and all the Fowler family in my life.❤️
Bill and Carol,
Peggy was a force of nature! I’m so glad that you were blessed to have her all these years. Thinking of and praying for you all.
This sweet woman was my very first counselor at MCYC and had such an impact on me! I’d spend every summer from that first one at the camp. I’ll never forget you Peggy♥️♥️♥️
I am so sorry. I was looking forward to her moving to Texas and we all planned to visit her. I have wonderful memories of her at Michigan Christian youth camp
Loved reconnecting with her on Facebook
Don’t forget her appearance on jeopardy
Peggy and her family were part of our church family for many years in Ann Arbor, Michigan, and was like an aunt to me and my sisters growing up! We have so many wonderful memories of being with her and Gene and the boys! A lot of laughter and lots of good food and fellowship! I’m sure our parents were there greeting her in Heaven, along with Gene! We love the Fowlers! God bless!
Bill, Bob & John,
Your family was always considered family to ours and a major part of our childhood memories. Thankfully, we have the faith that we will see them again someday. Blessings to all of you.
Bill, Bob and John,
So sorry to hear of Peggy’s passing. Your family was always considered our family and most of our childhood memories included you. Blessings and love to you and your families.
What a beautiful service for a wonderful lady! Peggy was a dear friend whom we met when she and Gene came to AZ for the winter. We shared our faith, our genealogy hobby and a new relationship when we discovered that Gene and Joe were distant cousins. Oh, how we laughed at some of the silliest things as we ate together, traveled together and just enjoyed time together! We will miss our dear Peggy but take great comfort in knowing she is with her beloved savior. To all of her family, you are in our hearts and prayers!