Bergeron, Peggy Joyce White (Mrs. Tommy)

Peggy Joyce White Bergeron was born on February 5, 1937 to the late Edna and Joseph J. White in New Orleans , Louisiana . In seventh grade grammar school, she met a young boy named Tommy Bergeron, who was later to become her husband. They graduated from grammar school together and went on to high school.

Peggy worked for a time as a bank teller in the children's school savings department. Peggy and Tommy were married on June 7, 1959 while Tommy was a senior at Centenary College . From there, she moved to Dallas , Texas , where Tommy, was enrolled in Seminary. While her husband earned the Master of Theology Degree, Peggy earned her PHT Degree (Put Hubby Through).

From there, Peggy followed her husband through 40 years of pastoral ministry. Together, they served the following churches: New Iberia , Indian Bayou and Kaplan, Berwick, Elysian Fields and John Wesley in New Orleans , Bethel and Magnolia (Baton Rouge District), La Place, Belle Chasse and St. James in Marrero , Pharr Chapel in Morgan City , and Oak Park in Lake Charles .

Along the way, they adopted three children, Renee, Tommy Ray, and Brian.

Peggy served the United Methodist Church in several official capacities, assisting in the Church offices, and actively supporting W.S.C.S. and U.M.W. Beyond the local church, she was involved in Rotary as President of Innerwheel.

When her husband retired from the active ministry in 2001, she gathered up her children and grandchildren, and took off for a much needed vacation to Disney World. Having been devoted to the church, Peggy now devoted her retired life to her eight grand-daughters.

Among highlights of Peggy's life were: a visit to the Holy Land , Greece , and Rome , including audience with the Pope, attending Cursillo # 62 which deepened her already steadfast spiritual life; numerous cruises into the eastern and western Caribbean ; and her 50 th wedding anniversary with family, friends and church family.

However, Peggy was born with Bronchieactis and in her later years, breathing became difficult for her. She was eventually put on oxygen 24/7, and began to lose her quality of life. She lost a lot of weight and became very tired. Toward the end of her life she just became “tired of being tired.” Peggy passed away just 2 days before her 73 rd birthday.

A memorial service was held at Live Oak UMC, in which the congregation (which numbered over 200 persons) sang “Happy Birthday” to Peggy, as part of the memorial service. Peggy's earthly church membership was officially transferred from Live Oak UMC to God's Eternal Kingdom of Heavenly Rest.

Tommy Bergeron