Peggy (Forbus) Hargens

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Peggy (Forbus) Hargens, 73, of Miller, passed away Wednesday, February 7, 2024, at Good Samaritan Society in Miller, surrounded by her family.

Memorial service will be at 11:00 a.m., Friday, February 23, 2024, at the Community Church of St. Lawrence with Pastor Jim Hofman officiating. Burial will be at Howell Cemetery, rural Hand County, at a later date.

In lieu of flowers, memorials can be directed to the family.

Peggy was born on March 31, 1950, in Henderson, Rusk County, Texas. She was the youngest of seven children born to Madie Arvest Forbus and Leatha Leola (Pool) Forbus. She grew up in Henderson, Texas on a small family farm. She spent a lot of time with her siblings and enjoyed the country life. Peggy went to school at Central Elementary School, followed by Henderson Middle and High School. Peggy began working at the age of 16 and went to cosmetology school for her beautician's license. She continued working until 1980 when her second child was born. 

Peggy was first married to Harry Gene Bailey Sr. on August 9, 1967, and had one child, Harry Gene Bailey Jr., in Longview, Texas. Peggy and Harry got divorced in October of 1975. She was then united in marriage to the love of her life, Dennis Lloyd Hargens, on January 18, 1979, in Pampa, Texas. They had one child, Erica Rene’ Hargens. 

Peggy was a homemaker, as she called herself a domestic engineer. She enjoyed volunteering at churches in Arkansas and North Carolina. She moved to Arkansas with her husband and children in 1983 and then to Youngsville, North Carolina in 1988. She lived in Nash County, Nashville, for 17 years before moving to Miller, SD with her daughter in 2021. 

She loved cross stitching, sewing, and many other crafts. She enjoyed spending time with her husband, Dennis, and her children and grandchildren. She loved to cook, travel, read, and have adventures with her daughter Erica. Her family was her world. She was an avid people watcher as society fascinated her. 

She was always smiling in life, saying it’s better to laugh than cry. Her inner beauty matched her outer beauty. 

Peggy is survived by her children: Harry Gene (Tammy) Bailey, Jr. of Zebulon, NC and Erica Hargens of Miller, SD; grandchildren: Katie and Rori Bailey of Zebulon, NC; and many nieces, nephews, and cousins. 

She is preceded in death by her husband, Dennis Lloyd Hargens; parents: Madie and Leatha Forbus; siblings: Claudine Smith, Melodine West, Alton Forbus, Robert Forbus, Barbara Wade, and James Albert Forbus; parents-in-law: George and Lois (Warren) Hargens; and one grandchild, Nathaniel Warren Hargens. 

Reck Funeral Home of Miller has been entrusted with Peggy's arrangements.