Peggy Metzger, 83, of Austin, Texas passed in peace on January 25th after a very short battle with lung cancer. Peggy spent her last moments in prayer and there was a strong presence of God that could be felt by all in her room. She peacefully left this world holding hands with loved ones.

Fondly called Peggy Jane by some, Peggy was born on June 6, 1939 to Ben and Janie Graves in Greenville, TN. She was the second of five girls. Peggy had many relationships throughout her life, both romantic and personal, but none matched the bond she had with her sisters. Despite living in different states, all having families of their own, and each facing their own difficulties, "the sisters" remained emotionally close and supportive for all these years. Together, they traveled, gambled, danced, played scrabble and euchre, and just spent time together laughing. They have been each other's support, confidant, and encourager. Peggy loved her sisters and they loved her.

Peggy was a very determined and driven woman. In May of 2021, she drove herself to the emergency room before she stopped breathing. An aortic aneurism had burst. After being airflighted to Austin, surviving a surgery most do not, and having a major stroke, Peggy worked hard over the next year to regain her independence. Yet, this was not anything new for Peggy. She lived her whole life with tenacity and grit and no matter what came her way, she persevered. She often said, "Mind over matter." She fully believed that one's mind could overcome any situation and thus, she attacked all situations with confidence and optimism. She encouraged others with the same mindset and would say, "You can do it!" This is likely why her three children all had advanced degrees and successful businesses.

With this latest diagnosis, Peggy knew it was time to join her son, J. Michael Beardsley, sister, Shirley Graves Dustin, brother-in-law, Howey Lathrop, her parents, and other family members in her Heavenly home with God. The battle was over and she received the news with the same attitude that she lived. She leaves behind daughters, Janet Kinney (Jack Kinney) and Stephanie Kerpsack (Steve Kerpsack), sisters Brenda Meister, Cindy Lathrop, and Susie Graves as well as grandchildren Samantha Huffman (Victor Huffman), Rebecca Beardsley, Nicholas Beardsley (Michelle Grundstrom), Megan Kerpsack, Alyssa Beardsley, Mikayla Beardsley, Joshua Kerpsack, Sarah Smith (Sean Smith), Sean Beardsley, Courtney Beardsley and great grandchildren Carter Andrews and Jacob Andrews.

Peggy was an independent, strong lady who could also be caring and kind. After graduating from Everett HS in Lansing MI, she worked different jobs until she felt a passion to help others as a nurse. Divorced with three young children, she attended nursing school and earned her degree. As a Registered Nurse, she worked in the surgery department for several years in Maryland. After remarrying in 1973, Peggy left nursing, moved to Michigan, and earned her real estate license. Soon thereafter, she started a siding business, which proved to be quite lucrative. She worked diligently to pass "Right to Work" laws and to become part of President Reagan's team as a member of the Health and Human Services Department. Peggy moved to Texas in 1979 where real estate and mortgage brokering became her life long career. She started and developed her own Real Estate and Mortgage Business, expanding from Austin to Houston. She was an astute, insightful business woman and she had a very keen eye and knack for investing in the stock market.

While Peggy was not busy with work, she enjoyed gourmet cooking. She loved to prepare elaborate meals for her friends and family. The grandkids and great grandkids loved her mac & cheese and apple pie (she even made them this past Christmas). Peggy loved living life to its fullest. She did and saw many things traveling with family members and friends to Barbados, Martinique, St. Kitts, Italy, Costa Rica, Florida, Panama, Japan and many other places. She always talked about the French Riviera but never made it there. As a hobby, Peggy started flipping houses before it was popular. She often did a lot of the work herself. We are sure that her heated political debates, UFO discussions, and her strong words of encouragement will be greatly missed.

Please join us in celebrating Peggy's life on Sunday, February 12, 2023 between 1:30pm-3:30pm at Maravilla at the Domain, 11001 Austin Ln, Austin, TX 78758. Peggy loved to wear white. To help celebrate her life, let's leave the black in our closets and come in white or festive colors.