Peggy Ann (Parker) Abernathy-Davis

A Glimpse of

Peggy Ann Abernathy-Davis Life

On January 2, 1934 in Fayetteville, Arkansas Otis James and Anna Berthina (Fisher) Parker were blessed with their eleventh of twelve children.  She was named Peggy Ann Parker.  Lovingly she would be called “Pretty Peggy.”  Her parents and eleven siblings-Ethel Parker, Juanita (Loveless), Harold Sylvester Parker, Gladys (Slaughter), Lillie (Hercey), Fisher James Parker, Anna Virginia (Dandridge), Herbert Parker, Bernice (Mays) and Carolyn Parker preceded her in death.

Segregation prevented Peggy from attending high school in Fayetteville.  To further her education, she moved to Kansas City, Kansas to live with older sisters who had already migrated. She attended Sumner High School, graduating with the class of 1951.  Later that year, she married Jim Eddie Abernathy, Jr.  Four children were born to their union—Gayle Marcheta, Jim Eddie III, Rory Lynn, and Peggy Annette.  Rory preceded her in death in 1969, and her husband of 45 years passed in 1996.

Peggy was an avid sportsperson.  In her youth she played softball, and basketball, but her favorite sport was fishing. Her fishing gear was always ready.  So, when Elder Abernathy, who also loved to fish would say “let’s go,” all she had to do was pack a meal and off they’d go. 

A Surgical Technician of excellence, she was employed by St. Margaret’s, Bethany, and Providence Hospitals retiring from Bethany first years later from Providence.  Many of her former co-workers of various ethnic backgrounds stated that she was their best trainer.  She also worked several years for Ears Nose & Throat specialist: Steele, Pischke, and Holdcraft.  In 1994 Peggy received the prestigious Employee of the Year award from Providence.

Peggy accepted Christ as her Savior at a young age while a member of St. James United Methodist Church in Fayetteville.  Her dream was to marry a pastor, and to work in ministry was her passion.  God fulfilled both.  She was an ardent worker at Mt. Zion Church of God in Christ for 38 years.  In 1989, she became the First Lady of Trinity Church of God in Christ in Lansing, Kansas, when her husband Elder Jim Abernathy was appointed its pastor.  Positions she held within Kansas East Jurisdiction: State Hospitality member, State Usher Board, President, and District Missionary of the Lawrence District renamed Issachar District.  Peggy loved to sing, and tried her hand playing the organ, and guitar.  Even while in the nursing home she held church service, opening with songs, sharing her testimony, and encouraging others to accept Christ as Lord.

March 20, 2004 Peggy married and left Kansas City to be her new husband Pastor Hosea O. Davis, of New Covenant Church, Wichita, Kansas.  They were married 13 years until his death June 16, 2017.

Peggy passed away August 10, 2017 at Parkway Care and Rehabilitation Center in Edwardsville, Kansas.  She leaves to cherish her memory:  Children & spouses:  Gayle (Lonnie, Jr.) McConnell, Jim E. III (Renee) Abernathy, and  Peggy (Michael, Sr.) Campbell, all of Kansas City, Kansas;  Step-children  & spouses:  Eleanor Walker of Kansas City, Kansas, Kenneth (Helen) Davis  of Orange, California, Andrew (Monica) Davis of El, Cajon, California,  Phillip (Gloria) Davis of Duncansville, Texas, Joel (Stephanie) Davis, of Tampa, Florida, Elizabeth (James) Carter of Columbus, Ohio, Regina (Emeka) Ogbanna, and Brenda (Elliott) Brunt of Wichita, Kansas; Sisters-in-law, Florida Parker; Helen Marlow; Elaine Mason; and  brother-in-law, Elder Kenneth (Joyce) Davis; 44 grandchildren; 87 great grand-children, and 2 great-great grandchildren, and caregivers, Maurice Gatewood; Roger Mitchell; and Vann Ellis; many nephews, and nieces, and a host of friends and loved ones.

 Service Information