Peggy Naomi Harton, 87, of Sherwood died Wednesday, Oct. 29, at Baptist Medical Center in Little Rock a few long months after a cancer diagnosis she fought valiantly to overcome.
She was born June 16, 1938, in the Rye community in Cleveland County, the youngest of seven siblings born to Mamie Ashcraft and Walter Furn McClain.
After graduating at Woodlawn High School, she married Thomas Harton on July 26, 1957, in Warren.
The couple made their home in Little Rock, where they raised their three boys. She sewed custom drapes and did other work with Sears Roebuck and Co. for years, but dedicated herself to making a great home for her family. After raising their children, the couple lived for 12 years in Imperial, Mo., outside St. Louis, after Thomas’ job took him there, but got back to Arkansas as quickly as possible once they retired.
Peggy was a breast cancer survivor of more than 20 years and regularly walked in the Susan G. Koman Race for the Cure and other related events.
She was a member of First United Methodist Church in North Little Rock, where she joyously sang in the choir. It was a ministry she’d begun decades earlier at Geyer Springs United Methodist Church in Little Rock.
She loved to read and enjoyed volunteering her skills sewing crafts in support of her church’s ministries. She always looked forward to annual family trips to Brady Mountain at Lake Ouachita, tent camping into her 86th year. She cherished time with close friends and her family. She poured her love into cooking and baking for them. She enjoyed traveling the United States, including Alaska, with her husband and longtime friends.
She devoted herself to her husband and children, setting an example of love that reflected her deep faith in Jesus Christ. She was a petite and gentle woman of Southern hospitality who was nonetheless a powerful example of strength for her family.
Survivors include her husband, Thomas; sons Randall Harton of North Little Rock, Paul Harton of Cabot and Greg Harton and spouse Sheryl of Fayetteville; grandchildren Eli and Jett Harton of Fayetteville and Denton and spouse Autumn Harton of Centerton; three great-grandchildren; and her brother, Mack and spouse DeRay McClain of Warren.
She was preceded in death by her sister Minelee Ashcraft and brothers James C. “Billie”, Auther B. “George”, Walter H. “Pete” and Clarence Wayne “Bud” McClain.
A funeral service was held at 2 p.m. Monday, Nov. 3, at Frazer Funeral Home in Warren with Pastor Brett Higdem officiating. Burial will follow at Union Cemetery in Rye.
Memorials may be made to North Little Rock First United Methodist Church, 6701 JFK Blvd., North Little Rock, AR 72116.
