Naomi "Peggy" Ruth Walvoord

Naomi Ruth “Peggy” (Phillips) Walvoord, of 400 SW 14th Ave. Amarillo, died Friday afternoon, December 21, 2024. She was 90.

Memorial services will be at 11:00 AM, Saturday, January 4, 2025 at the First Presbyterian Church in Amarillo with Rev. Murray Gossett presiding. Arrangements are by Boxwell Brothers Funeral Directors.

Peggy was born December 30, 1933 in Shamrock, Texas. She was the fourth of five children born to Elmo Lawson Phillips and Callie Rebecca Calcedonia (Henshaw) Phillips. She attended first grade at the age of five in a two-room school in the Heald Community (near Shamrock). Peggy attended various schools in Amarillo before eventually attending Panhandle High School in Panhandle, Texas. Peggy became a cheerleader, and Feature Editor of the school newspaper, Panther Scream. Peggy was voted "Class Favorite" her senior year. Peggy graduated in 1951 at the age of 17. After graduating from Panhandle High School at the age of 17, she got a job at Southwestern Bell Telephone Company where she was a service representative. While working there, she became good friends with Joann Walvoord, the sister of her future husband. On April 13, 1952, Peggy married David Walvoord in Locust Grove Baptist Church in Locust Grove, Texas.

While raising a family of three boys, Peggy eventually earned a B.S. degree in Elementary Education from West Texas State College. When her third son, Scott, was in second grade, Peggy was hired as a 4th Grade Language Arts and Social Studies teacher at Hamlet Elementary. After she taught for two-years she was given an opportunity to be an elementary school librarian. A lover of books, she jumped at the chance to share her passion with children. Eventually Peggy earned her master's degree in Library Science from West Texas State University. After many years as Librarian at Western Plateau and instilling her many students with a love of reading, Peggy retired. She and her husband David traveled The United States, including Alaska and Hawaii, Canada, Europe, Israel, and The Caribbean. She also enjoyed Ballroom Dancing, playing bridge with their many friends, watching football with her family, and of course reading. Peggy was a longtime member of First Presbyterian Church in Amarillo.

Peggy was preceded in death by her parents, Elmo and Callie (Henshaw) Phillips of Amarillo; sister Wanda Kiser of Amarillo; brother Elmo “Junior “Phillips of Pharr, TX; brother Ed “Corky” Phillips of Jasper, TX; and brother Monnie “Deanie” Phillips of Dumas. She was also preceded in death by her son Kit of Amarillo, and husband David of Amarillo whom she was married to for over 71-years,

Peggy is survived by son Keith (Kim) of Pinehurst, NC; son Scott (Amy) of Nashville, TN; and six grandchildren, Kirk Walvoord of Amarillo; Tyler (Emily) Walvoord of Austin; Preston Walvoord of Raleigh, NC; Caroline (Floris) de Groot of Singapore; Catherine Walvoord of Dallas; and Katie Grace Walvoord of Nashville, TN, and one great-grandson, George de Groot of Singapore. She is also survived by many nieces and nephews whom she deeply loved.

Flowers may be sent to Boxwell Brothers Funeral Home or First Presbyterian Church of Amarillo. Memorial Gifts may be given to The Amarillo Children’s Home, Samaritan’s Purse, or the charity of your choice.