Peggy Hicks Carson

With her family at her side, Peggy Hicks Carson passed from this life to the arms of her Savior on May 13, 2023 at the age of 87. She was born at home on November 6, 1935, the youngest child of L.E. and Jewel Hicks. She is preceded in death by her parents and three siblings, Nell Bowie, Lynn Driscoll, and William E. Hicks. Peggy is survived by her two children, Michele Hatcher (Russell) of Peachtree City, GA and David Benjamin Carson, Jr. (Michelle) of Fort Worth, TX. A much-loved grandmother, she is also survived by grandchildren Micah Quillian (Daniel) of Fayetteville, GA; Layne Dawkins (George) of Greenville, NC; Lauren Acosta (Christian) of Sharpsburg, GA; Ethan Hatcher of Greenville, SC; Joshua Carson (Cassidy), Hannah Carson, and Samuel Carson of Fort Worth, TX; Dana Leeper of New Jersey; Scott Leeper of Massachusetts; and 9 great-grandchildren and counting.

Peggy graduated from Northwestern State University with a degree in Education. “Mrs. Carson,” as her second-grade students knew her, loved teaching until she retired in her thirties to stay home and raise her children. But retirement did not stop her calling to teach: she was a 4H leader at Hickory Ridge School and a Sunday school teacher at Grace New Testament Baptist Church, where she was a member for many years. A true southern woman, Peggy loved spending much of her free time checking in on elderly friends and relatives who looked forward to her visits. And as a true southern cook, she knew the value of a well-seasoned cast iron skillet and a bundt pan which she used many a day to turn out the best cornbread and pound cakes this side of heaven.

She was a beloved “Mimi” to her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Peggy loved birds and dogs, watching football in the fall and gameshows all year long. A voracious reader, she passed down her love of books and reading to most of her children and grandchildren. She treasured her lifelong friendships, some from as far back as her elementary school days in Powhatan, LA. She traveled some but her heart was always at home in Natchitoches, LA and only left her hometown in her final years to be near her daughter and her family. She often remarked that she had not lived a perfect life but it was a good life and she was ready to go home.

The graveside service is scheduled for Saturday, May 20, 2023 at 2 pm at Memory Lawn Cemetery. Those honored to serve as pallbearers will be Ethan Hatcher, Joshua Carson, Sam Carson, George Dawkins, Lynn Estes, Jr., and Dr. Buck Morrison.  All are welcome to attend and celebrate Peggy’s life. In lieu of flowers, please consider buying a special book for a child in your life and take a moment to sit down, hold them in your lap and read it with them. These were the moments she cherished the most. Otherwise, a donation to your local library or St. Jude’s Hospital would make her smile.