Nannie Peoples

Nannie B Brodnax Peoples (Nancy) died at her home in Austin, Texas on Saturday April 8, 2006. She was born on June 13, 1911, in Mexia, Texas, the daughter of Ruby Estella Hayter and Albert Whitaker Brodnax. Nancy grew up on their farm in Coolidge, Texas, and finished Coolidge High School before attending Baylor University, where she developed her talents as an accomplished pianist and artist, and Became a member of Alpha Omega Sorority, now Pi Beta Phi. As a student of Dr. A. J. Armstrong at Baylor, she was introduced to the poetry of Robert Browning, and throughout her life she remained a lover of Browning's poetry and a dedicated alumnus of the University, which she graduated in 1933. In 1935 Nancy married George Arthur Peoples of Waco and moved to Dallas, where they lived until his retirement. They had two children, to whom she devoted the remainder of her life. In Dallas, she was a loyal member of Highland Park Methodist Church, a Sunday School teacher, church pianist, community volunteer, and an enthusiastic participant in Highland Park Schools PTA. In 1968 she and her husband moved to their country home on Tehuacana Hill, overlooking the Coolidge farm of her childhood. There, Nancy pursued her many artistic interests and became an active member of the Tehuacana United Methodist Church, where she sang in the choir for years. Nancy was an artist who took common things and made them uncommonly beautiful. Her smile turned worry into radiant joy. She cherished every moment she shared with the family and friends she loved. She will be remembered by the work of her hands, by the strength of her faith, and by the optimism of her soul. Nancy is survived by her children: Nancy Peoples Buford and her husband, Bob of Austin; and George White Peoples of Corsicana; grandchildren: Rob Buford and his wife Margaret; Christy Buford Werner and her husband, Mark, all of Austin; Heather Peoples Bowen and her husband Brandon, of Norman, Oklahoma; Michelle Peoples Kervin and her husband Jeremy, of Baytown; and Jason Peoples and his wife Jen of Boston, Massachusetts; and great-grandchildren: Chad and Ian Bowen, Brittany, Jessica, and J. T. Kervin, and Camden Buford Werner; as well as her sister Lillian Brodnax Wallace of Houston, nephews and cousins. She was preceded in death her husband, her parents and her brother, William Whitaker Brodnax. Funeral services will be held on Tuesday, April 11 at 11 a.m. at the Tehuacana United Methodist Church in Tehuacana, Texas, with burial to follow at the Mexia Cemetery in Mexia, Texas. Those wishing to honor Nancy's memory are encouraged to do so by contributing to an organization of their choice. Visitation with the family will be 5 - 7 Monday night at the funeral home.