We grieve the loss of an angel who walked this earth. A beloved mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, and friend, Reverend Peggy J. Adams, 91, was called home to be with the Lord. She passed peacefully in Cedar Park, Texas, on February 27, 2026. Peggy is now reunited in heaven with her parents, Luke L. and Wilhelmina C. ‘Billie’ Asche Adams; three siblings, Ellis and Harry Adams, and Wanda Vallandingham; two daughters, Elizabeth and Madelyn Schmucker; and her son-in-law, Alan Sample. She is survived by her younger brother, Ralph Vernon (Kathy) Adams; four children, Rebecca (Robert Polickoski) Schmucker, Helen (Todd Spencer) Schmucker, Fred (Beth Ann Nixon) Schmucker, and Margaret Schmucker; seven grandchildren, and two great-grandchildren. We grieve the loss of our beloved and continue to live in her legacy of sharing God’s love through kindness and care.
Peggy was born in Portsmouth, Ohio. Before finally settling in Texas, she also lived in Michigan, Missouri, and Illinois, where she received her education and discovered her pastoral calling. She received her undergraduate degree at The Southeast Missouri State University in 1978. She later earned a Master of Science from National-Louis University in 1990. She followed that with her Master’s in Divinity from Lutheran School of Theology in Chicago in 1991 and was ordained shortly thereafter on November 21, 1993, at First Lutheran Church in Portsmouth, Ohio. Peggy was the first, and only, Child of the Church to be ordained at the former First Lutheran Church.
She served as a parish pastor in Michigan and Texas. Peggy never let the challenges of her era dim her shine. In the 70’s, Peggy shared her love, care, and talents by founding the first battered women’s shelter and Suicide and Crisis hotline in Southeast Missouri. During her time in Texas, she served in two parishes with her final calling at Palm Valley Lutheran Church. She was heavily involved with evangelism efforts and welcomed new members to the church by teaching a weekly membership course. Peggy also founded Palm Valley’s Fall Fair, a fundraiser that continues to bring the community together annually. At home, Peggy was rarely seen without her four-legged companion, Izzy. Peggy enjoyed sweets, sharing sweets with the people, dogs, and grand-dogs that she loved, and watching the annual wiener dog races with friends and family.
All are welcome to celebrate Peggy’s life. A service will take place at Palm Valley Lutheran Church in Round Rock, TX on Thursday, March 5, 2026. The viewing will begin at 5:00, followed by a service at 6:00. Cake, coffee, and a gathering to share memories of our beloved Peggy will conclude the evening.
Interment will be in Memorial Burial Park, Wheelersburg, OH, at a later date.
