Betty Jean Pegues
Sunrise: January 1, 1943
Sunset: August 9, 2019
Betty was born in Holly Springs, Mississippi in 1943 to the union of Reverend Walter and Louise Wright. She was the first baby born in Holly Springs that year.
Betty moved to Chicago at an early age. She married her childhood friend, Jodie L. Pegues, and from this union came six children. Jodie and Betty were still teenagers when they became homeowners, and theirs was the first black family to live on 100th and Aberdeen Street. Betty continued living there with her children after becoming a widow in her 20’s, and she lived there over 50 years. Betty’s union with her second husband, Robert Peeples, brought forth one child.
Betty was fiercely devoted to her children. She had three special needs children and chose to raise them all at home, despite being given professional advice to place them in various care facilities.
Many of Betty’s special and close loved ones preceded her in death: husband, Jodie L. Pegues; husband, Robert Peeples; mother, Louise Wright; father, Walter Wright; aunt, Lucille Walker; cousin, Christine Jones; daughter-in-law, Ella Pegues; and son, Leon Pegues.
Betty was diagnosed with breast cancer six months after losing her son, Leon. In less than a year, the cancer had spread to every bone in her body, and on August 9, 2019, she laid down her cross and turned herself over to God.
Betty leaves behind to cherish absolutely wonderful memories: sons, Allan, Lindsay and Maurice Pegues; daughters, Cassandra (Rodney) Mitchell, LeShawn Bryant, and Iris Mitchell; brothers, Manual and Danny Wright; grandchildren, Lindsay Pegues, Jr., Allen Moten, La’China Collier, Janice Mitchell, Te’Shawn Pegues, Branden Pegues, Lenard (Leilani) Bryant, Jr., and Ares Mitchell; great-grandchildren, King Doby and Baby Amalah Rose Bryant; her best friend, Brenda Jo Cherry; and her godchildren, Ira Cherry, LaKisha Collier, Latasha Cherry-Myles, and Victoria Cherry.