Peggy Jo (Porter) Beal
August 26, 1942 ~ March 19, 2023
Peggy Jo (Porter) Beal was born August 26, 1942, in Wichita, KS. She was the youngest child of Gene Wilson Porter and Evelyn (Yoder) Porter. She departed this life on March 19, 2023.
Peggy grew up in the Viola, KS community and graduated from Viola High School with the class of 1960. She continued her education at Kansas State University for three semesters before transferring to Wichita State University where she received a degree in education in 1965.
Peggy was united in marriage to Stephan A. Beal on April 18, 1962, at Viola, Kansas and to this union two sons were born: Wesley and Wade. The family made their home near Mount Hope, Kansas where they farmed and operated a 15,000 head lamb feedlot. Peggy substituted in the area schools before working as a receptionist at the Hertzler Clinic in Halstead, Kansas.
In 1980, Peggy moved to Wichita and began working at Flight Safety as Customer Support Manager. She retired in 2014 after 34 years.
Peggy was a member of the West Heights United Methodist Church, Wichita. She had been active in 4-H, Kappa Alpha Theta Sorority and was a former Library Board Member.
Peggy was preceded in death by her parents and her brother, Gary.
She is survived by her two sons: Wesley Beal and wife Cathy of Perryton, Texas; Wade Beal and wife Terese of Harper, Kansas; one sister, Judy Rees and husband Bob of Bartlesville, Oklahoma; six grandchildren: Thomas, Erin, Kelsey, Brady, Sydnee and Cassidy, three great-grandchildren: Wyatt, Addison and Hayden, and a number of other relatives and friends.
A memorial service will be 11:00 am, Saturday, March 25, 2023, at Downing & Lahey West Mortuary. In lieu of flowers, a memorial has been established with: American Heart Association, 8918 West 21st Street North, #248, Wichita, KS 67205.
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Peggy was a Godly woman of beauty and grace who reflected the love of Christ in her words and actions. Prior to her health issues, she welcomed us in the church office twice a week on the phone or in person with her beautiful smile and friendly voice. Her calming ways helped lead the Membership Care Committee as co-chair for several terms. She was usually the first to volunteer for committee tasks. Peggy was quiet but mighty in whatever role she assumed. We loved her as a member of Mary Martha Circle. One of my fondest P.E.O. memories of her was when she became a member of the P.E.O. sisterhood in 2020. She was proud to become a member of Chapter FY and shared some of her mother’s items when she was also a P.E.O. member. The informality of Wine Wednesdays once a month was special. We were like sisters in a family gathering to chat and laugh. I loved Peggy’s humor and her love for being with others. There were times she couldn’t attend an event because she prioritized her time helping friends in need. She was humble in her thoughtfulness finding ways to help others. She’s already missed but will be remembered with love – and a smile.
I am a PEO sister of Peggy. I only knew her for a year because I’m new to PEO, but she was such a lovely person. I remember one Friday last June four of the PEO sisters met for lunch, including Peggy and me. We talked for three hours sharing experiences about family, work, and everything else under the sun. It was an amazing conversation. I still value it, and I came to know Peggy as a very special person.
(Also, Peggy always wore the most beautiful jewelry!)
In peace,
Jessica Carr