Peggy Jo Wadkins of Taylorville, IL left this world to go to her heavenly home on June 20th, 2023 at St. John’s Hospital in Springfield, IL. Surrounded by her children, in perfect peace. She was the epitome of caring. A caring mother, grandmother, sister, and friend.

She was born to Harvey and Lorene Parker on February 21, 1935 and soon after became the proud big sister to 4 brothers and 1 sister. After graduating from Kincaid high school, Peggy moved to Chicago where she was a telephone operator. She soon met her husband Elton (Woody) on a blind date and 3 months later on July 18th, 1953, they were married. Together they had 8 children: Joyce, Terry, David, Tod, Tim, Julie, Angie, and Lori. Peggy was the most wonderful mother to her 8 children, and even though they didn’t have a lot, she would do everything possible to give them the most magical Christmas (which quickly became their favorite holiday). Peggy worked as a CNA at St. Vincent Hospital for 25 years and provided home care to several of her patients. She was a homemaker and worked at Community Child Care Connection in Springfield, IL.

Peggy loved spending time in the kitchen, creating delicious meals for her family. Neighborhood children would gather around the kitchen table for dinner, and Peggy would always say, “We’ll just add another plate”. Somehow there was always enough. Peggy would give her last dollar to those in need and would even go above and beyond for those she didn’t know. In 1988, she started and founded Hands and Heart in Taylorville; a local outreach that provided clothes for the underprivileged. What started as a small organization in the back of her church, continued to grow, leading the church to buy another building for Hands and Heart and continue serving the community.

The simplest pleasures in life brought great joy to Peggy. She loved a nice spring day sitting on the patio with a glass of sweet tea, dinners with her family, watching the birds come to eat outside her window while enjoying a warm cup of coffee, playing words with friends on her iPhone, cutting up and laughing with her kids and grandkids over a funny joke, cheering on her favorites in Dancing with the Stars, The Voice, and American Idol, baking a plate of cookies for her family, listening to music, and giving a warm hug to those she loved. She looked forward to every family birthday party, every Christmas party with her girls, and every yearly family reunion, held at Manners Park in Taylorville every summer. Above all, Peggy loved her family dearly. Her greatest joy was spending time with her kids and holding each new grandchild and great-grandchild.

Peggy, with her strong faith in God, looked forward to church and worshiping her Lord. In 1985 she started a bible study in her home where there were several salvations. She was always praying for her family, for their safety and healing and that they would come to know Jesus like she did. She was an uplifter and encourager reminding her family in the hard times, 1 Peter 5:10, “This too shall pass”. 

While this is a huge loss for the family, they find peace knowing she is dancing with Jesus, catching up with her Grandma Sanders, and forever in glory.

She is survived by her daughters: Joyce (Bert) Davidson of Bunker Hill, IL; Julie (Andy) Hendrickson of Taylorville, IL; Angela (Roger) Damery of Taylorville, IL; Lori (Mike) Hendricks of Taylorville, IL; sons: Terry Wadkins of Sevierville, TN; David (Lisa) Wadkins of Taylorville, IL; Tod L. Wadkins of Taylorville, IL; Tim (Sherri) Wadkins of Tovey, IL; step-son: Jerry (Debbie) Wadkins of Sanducky, OH; grandchildren: Stephanie (Brad) Lush; Steven (Janessa) Lockwood; Samantha (Matt) Donaldson; Kristy (Peter) Geppert; Heather (Scott) Mikrut; Tug (Brooke) Wadkins; Marlena Wadkins and companion Tiffany Bailey; David (Rachael) Wadkins; Monica (Orville) Harris; Jacob Wadkins and companion Krystal Summar; Tiffany (Shane) Brown; Timmy (Celeste) Wadkins; Kami (Eric) Kingery; Jennifer (Dave) Doyen; Jayme Hendrickson (Brian Windell); Zachariah (Paige) Hendrickson; Allison (Matt) Scott; Josiah (Kasey) Damery; Jaden Damery (Natalie Boham); Karli Damery (Guilherme Bazil); Corey (Laura) Hendricks; Matt Hendricks (Amy Suhre); Tyler Hendricks; step-grandchildren: Matthew; Josh; Kevin; Lisa; Laura; Joy; Bobby Jr.; Chad; Charles; Michelle; Christopher; 54 great-grandchildren; sister: Marcia Parker and companion Gary Cundiff of Tovey, IL; brothers: Jerry (Nancy) Parker of Broken Arrow, OK; Robert “Bob” Parker of Lake Ozark, MO; sisters-in-law: Paddi Parker of Fort Meyers, FL; Linda Canale of Taylorville, IL; as well as many nieces, nephews, and cousins.

Peggy was preceded in death by her parents: Harvey and Lorene Parker; husband: Elton Woodrow Wadkins; brothers: Tom Parker and Harry Parker; step-daughter: Virginia Hobbs; step-son Bobby Wadkins; and sister-in-law: Jane Parker.

A visitation will take place on Friday, June 23, 2023 from 4:00-7:00 p.m. at Sutton Memorial Home in Taylorville, IL. A funeral service will be held the following day at 1:00 p.m. at Sutton Memorial Home with Steven Lockwood officiating. Interment will follow at Glen Haven Memorial Gardens. Peggy’s family invites everyone to attend a dinner held afterwards at Way of Life Church in Taylorville.

Memorials in Peggy’s honor may be made to the American Cancer Society or to Wounded Warriors.

Sutton Memorial Home is assisting the family with arrangements. Please sign our online guestbook at suttonmemorialhome.com