Peggy Barksdale

PEGGY BARKSDALE - Peggy Sue Harris Barksdale, age 85, of Columbus, MS, passed away on Wednesday, October 21, 2026, in Columbus, Mississippi, surrounded by her loved ones. She is survived by her six children: Ronald Barksdale (Judy), Donald Barksdale, Sr. (Vicki), Steve Barksdale (Carol), Chris Barksdale (Beth), Susan Denton (Harold), and Tracie Hanson (Joey). She is also survived by her grandchildren, Bubba Barksdale (Allison), Shaun Barksdale (Alicia), Brandie Barksdale, Donald Barksdale, Jr. (Becca), Blake Barksdale (Nicole), Lesley Barksdale Bailey, Nicholas Miller (Ashley), Summer Walker (Alan), Jamie Bishop (Joshua), Casey Anderson (Nick), Tayler Frye, Justin Barksdale, Jarod Barksdale (Hope), Trey Barksdale, Taylor Cox (Corey), Teresa Haynes, and Allee Kate Weathers, 37 great grandchildren, 7 great great grandchildren, and her siblings: Nancy J. Lowe (Dale), C.F. Harris, Jr. (Camille), Shirley Stanley (Charles), Donna Garner (Bill), and Jen Prescott (Rex). In addition to her parents, she is preceded in death by her husband, Travis T. Barksdale, grandson, Allen Travis Haynes, sister, Patricia Rast, and brother, Larry Harris, Sr.

Ms. Peggy was born in Columbus, Mississippi, on October 31, 1940, to C. F. Harris, Sr. and Edna Earl Hollingsworth, as one of eight children. She married Travis T. Barksdale on September 24, 1955. They were married for 52 years before his passing in August of 2007. Although her very first job was at the Varsity Theater, she raised her family working for Seminole Manufacturing Company (American Trouser) for over 30 years before retiring. She was a faithful member of Mt. Zion Baptist Church. Known as Ms. Peggy, her loving arms rocked many babies in the Mt. Zion Nursery. She loved each and every one of them as her very own.

Although she was a quiet and gentle soul, Ms. Peggy loved fiercely. Her love could be felt by everyone who knew her. She was always there, offering a hug and a smile, or making her loved ones feel better with a bowl of chicken and dumplings. These gentle gestures could make all seem right in the world. As her children, we are blessed to call her ours and will forever thank God for such a gift. The family would like to extend a heartfelt thank you to friends, Community Hospice, and all who cared for her. A special thank you to Lindsey, Monica, Drew, Will, Quandra, Sonya, Gwen, Ciera, Darcell, and the loving a caring staff of The Windsor Place Rehabilitation Center. Mom considered you family, and she loved you very much.

Visitation will be held Friday, October 23, 2026, from 5:00 - 7:00 PM at Memorial Funeral Home & Crematory. Funeral services will be held on Saturday, October 24, 2026, at 11:00 AM at Memorial Funeral Home Chapel with Rev. Steve Lammons officiating. Interment will follow at Mt. Zion Baptist Church Cemetery. Pallbearers will be her grandsons: Bubba Barksdale, Shaun Barksdale, Donald Barksdale, Jr., Blake Barksdale, Justin Barksdale, Jarod Barksdale, Romeo Haynes, and Charlie Walker.

Honorary pallbearers will be Bro. Ty Danielson, Shorty Yearby, her Mt. Zion Church family, her dearest friend, Mrs. Dot Thomas, Dr. Matthew J. Wade, Dr. Kenneth Boyd, the nurses and staff of Centerwell Home Health, The Windsor Place Rehabilitation Center, and Community Hospice.

In lieu of flowers and to honor Ms. Peggy's love for children of Mt. Zion Baptist Church, please consider making a donation in her memory to the Mt. Zion Baptist Church Nursery Fund, 1791 Lake Lowndes Rd., Columbus, MS, 39702, or St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN, 38105.