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Peggy Dorrell Roberts

| September 11, 2020 12:30 AM

Peggy Joyce Dorrell was born in Boone County, Ark., on April 23, 1938, to Lester and Nell Dorrell. She was the third of seven children.

The family moved to Fowler, Kan., when she entered the 5th grade. She graduated from Fowler High School and then Friends University, in Wichita, Kan. On June 16, 1957, she married Maurice Roberts, with whom she had attended both public school and university. She gave birth to their first child during her college years and still she graduated on schedule. She was voted May Queen in her senior year at Friends University.

Peggy was passionate about her calling in life – a wife, mother and homemaker. Though educated to be a teacher, her focus was homemaking and nest building for her family, and only during infrequent times was she employed outside the home. An exception was her year living in Sudan, Africa, as a missionary with her husband, where Peggy taught English as a second language at a Bible school for Sudanese pastors.

Coming from a childhood of very limited means and her dresses made from feed sacks, she came to love things of beauty — in simple, tasteful ways. She delighted in decorating the home, in setting a beautiful table and in serving others. She had a simple elegance about her in what she wore and how she decorated, much of which was found in frequent garage sale adventures.

She loved flowers and took courses in floral design. She loved collecting shells, rocks, and glassware. Another part of the beauty she loved was the visits to the ocean, where she could expect to hear the voice of God in personal ways.

Over many years, she was pleased to host friendship teas, named “Tea and Other Comforts,” both for fellowship and as an outreach venue. Friendships and relationships were of high importance to Peggy and it was a matter of disappointment when a friendship seemed to fall away.

No relationship, however, was as important to her as her marriage. Together, they gave many years in service to Lay Witness Missions, to Faith at Work Conferences, and Marriage Encounter Weekends. They did not look upon their marriage as a social norm, but as a divine commitment blessed by God, not a contract but as a covenant.

For many years, Peggy led Bible studies for women and her personal spiritual discipline was to commit each Monday as a retreat day with the Lord. Her hours were devoted to Bible reading and study, journaling and prayer, reflection and planning.

Her wedding vows honored the phrases “for better or for worse; for richer or for poorer.” They have experienced it all. In sickness and health; they have been blessed with both. From that day forward till death did us part on Sept. 3, 2020, after 63 years of marriage and a lifetime of experiences that included joys and sorrows, but always a united commitment to follow Jesus together.

Her family survivors, in addition to her husband, Maurice Roberts, include their son, Kevin, of Whitefish, Mont. and his wife, Meg, and two step-daughters: Kirkland and Kyra; his former wife, Vicki; daughter, Kirsten Miller of Sneads Ferry, N.C. and her husband, Jerry, along with their two daughters: first, Shayla and husband, Aaron Belland and their five children, and secondly, her daughter, Staci; and also Peggy’s third child, daughter, Kim Figge of Hayden, Idaho and her son, Justin; and two step-daughters: Kristen and Alicia. Peggy leaves three sisters: Rita and Terry Clark of Peoria, Ariz., Cleta and Lonnie Norris of Hugoton, Kan. and Linda and Jerry Clark of Peoria; and two brothers: Bob and Della Dorrell of Watson, Ill., and Gary Dorrell of Wichita, and many nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by an older brother, Bill Dorrell.

A memorial service will be conducted at 11 a.m. on Oct. 2, 2020, at Anthem Church, 251 W. Miles Avenue, Hayden, ID 83835. Memorials may be sent to Anthem Hayden Church or Evangelical Friends Mission, Box 771139, Wichita, KS 67277.