Peggy Jo Dodson

Peggy Jo Smith Dodson, 92, passed away October 22, 2023, at Ridgecrest Retirement and Nursing facility. A graveside service will be held at 11:00 a.m., Thursday, November 9, 2023, at the Fairview Cemetery in Bastrop, Texas, with Dr. Stephen Allen officiating. Visitation will be from 6:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m., Thursday, November 2, at Wilkirson-Hatch-Bailey Funeral Home in Waco.

Peggy was born in Amarillo, Texas, on December 16, 1930, to George Garland Smith and Orpah Alice Cayton Smith. She grew up in Plainview, Texas, where she attended the schools and church. She was athletic by nature and enjoyed swimming, diving, gymnastics, and baton twirling. In high school she played the flute and was a twirler in the school band. She was an exceptionally talented twirler and received a full scholarship offer to attend the University of Tulsa in Oklahoma. However, after a visit to Baylor University, she decided to forego the scholarship offer for an opportunity to be a member of the Golden Wave Band both as a flutist, and a twirler now referred to as Golden Girls. It was during a Baylor football game, a young Baylor golfer, Bob (Bobby) Dodson, noticed Peggy performing during half-time and remarked that one day he would marry that girl. Later, the two were formally introduced and eventually married on April 27, 1951, after Bob graduated from Baylor. Peggy and Bob had two children, Carol Ann, and Cathy Lynn, who completed their family. Their life together and Bob’s business opportunities took them all over Texas, including Freeport, Lexington, Rockdale, Austin, El Paso, and eventually back to Waco to be closer to family, and their beloved Baylor University in their retirement. During their life together, amongst their families and friends, they were always referred to as Bob and Peggy, as if inseparable. Truly a match made in heaven!

Peggy was a Christian woman who loved God, family, and anything Baylor. She was active in her church at each stop throughout her life, and genuinely enjoyed her lifelong study of the Bible. She had a fun sense of humor, loved laughter, and had a kindness about her that drew people in. She never met a stranger, and if you were her friend, she considered you to be family.

She was preceded in death by her parents, George and Orpah Smith; Bob, her husband of 64 years; her brothers, Jay Smith, Garland Smith, and Paul Smith; sisters, Betty Cirillo, and Alice Schreiber; granddaughter, Elisabeth Meyers; and her great grandson, Caden Woods.

She is survived by daughters, Carol Meyers and husband, Robert, of Waco, and Cathy Gregory of Waco; grandsons, Michael Meyers and wife, Lorena, of Melissa, and Matthew Meyers and wife, Tinsley, of Hewitt; her granddaughter, Tracy Love and husband, Mark of Austin; five great-granddaughters, Kyla Woods, Elisabeth and Cannon Meyers, and Josephine and Adelaide Meyers; sister-in-law Dorothy McCreary of Austin; as well as many nieces and nephews, friends and family, too numerous to list, but not forgotten.

The family would like to thank the staff of Ridgecrest for the loving, compassionate care provided these past two and a half years as Peggy’s health declined.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Baylor University, the American Heart Association, or your charity of choice.

The family invites you to leave a message or memory on our “Tribute Wall” at www.WHBfamily.com.