Peggy Jo Smith Hoots

Peggy Jo Smith Hoots, 80, gained her wings and departed this life on Monday, March 6, 2023.

Peggy was born in the Grubbs Springs community in Monroe County on March 25th, 1942. She was the fifth of ten children born to James David Smith and Mary Lee Irvin Smith. She attended school at Hamilton, MS until the family relocated to the Hatley, MS area. There she was named Miss Hatley High School and graduated with the class of 1960. Upon graduation, Peggy attended Itawamba Junior College and it was there she met her future husband, Douglas Hoots (Mr. Smithville High School class of 1960). They were united in marriage for over 60 years and raised two children.

Peggy was the epitome of a kind, caring, generous Christian woman, wife, and mother. She was always one to sacrifice her own self-interest for the sake of others, especially her children. She was deeply passionate about her faith (50 -year member of the Amory Church of Christ) and her family. She retired from the Amory Garment Company in 2000 after 31 years of service and spent many good years in retirement before her health declined. Raised in the model of her mother, Peggy was a hard worker, kept a clean house, was a good seamstress and enjoyed gardening and canning. She was also a good cook, even though she didn’t particularly like to do it. Known to be witty, Peggy also penned folk poetry, particularly for the amusement of her brothers and sisters. She loved family get-togethers where her brothers and sisters and their families were present and they sat there for hours “spinning yarns” of days gone by. Someone once conveyed a statement about Peggy that sums up the kind of person she was; “they don’t make’em like her anymore”.

She is survived by her spouse, Doug Hoots; daughter, Renee Vineyard (Steve) of Amory; son Van Hoots (Alisha) of Amory; grandchildren Lindsey Vineyard of Starkville, MS and Cameron Pierce (Serenity) of Amory; two great grand-children, Mary Morgan Pierce and Silas Pierce of Amory; brothers James “Jim” Smith (Mary Nell) of North Las Vegas, NV and Tommy Smith (Clara) of Hatley; sisters June Boyd of Hatley, Jeanette Chism (Larry) of Tupelo, Ellen Hall (Tom) of Hatley, Diane Smith of Hatley; two brother in laws, Phil (Glenda) Hoots of Smithville, MS, Gerald McDill of Brandon, MS; one sister in law, Ann Smith of Hatley, MS; 11 nephews, 13 nieces and numerous cousins in/around Monroe County.
Peggy was preceded in death by her parents, a sister (Joyce McDill), brothers (Dale Smith and David G. Smith) and brother in-law (Charles Boyd).

Visitation is set for Thursday, March 9, 2023, from 12:00 PM until 2:00 PM at E. E. Pickle Funeral Home in Amory, MS. The funeral service is set for 2:00 PM at the funeral home with Minister Phillip Hathcock and Mr. Wayne Howell officiating. Weather permitting, burial will immediately follow at the Hatley Cemetery, Hatley, MS. Pallbearers will be Allen Boyd, Barry Smith, Terry Smith, Robert Irvin, Mark Clay, Cameron Pierce and Clint Hoots. Honorary pallbearers are Jimmy and Peggy Abel; Tommy and Gail Ford; Rick Lochridge; and Phil Sullivan.
A special “Thank You” goes out to Teresa Childers, Kim Thomas, Jessica Raper, Jessica George and the remainder of the employees of Oak Tree Manor in Amory. The family also expresses their thanks to Kindred Hospice.

Memorials may be made to the Amory Church of Christ, 1005 N. Boulevard Drive, Amory, MS 38821 or to the Alzheimer’s Association of Mississippi.

Memories and condolences may be shared with her family at EEPickleFuneralHome.com