Peggy Crotts was born Feb. 6, 1937, to James M. Sanders and Ruby Lee Cosper Sanders in Duncan. Peggy joined her older brother, Bill, at this time. Peggy attended Duncan schools and graduated as Salutatorian for her class in 1955.
Peggy entered the Miss Greenlee County contest in 1954 and won. She went to the Miss Arizona pageant and became friends with the new Miss Arizona. Peggy attended the University of Arizona for a short while. She left to marry her lifelong sweetheart Erwin Crotts on March 24, 1956, at the Duncan Methodist Church. To this union, they were blessed with three sons, Larry Wayne Senior, James Erwin, and William Randall; they were always a very happy family.
Peggy had a very dear friend, Barbara Pace, who passed away in 1968. While visiting one evening before her passing, she asked Peggy if she would look after her daughters, Sammie, 14, and Denise, 13, joined this family in 1969.
When Jim reached the age of 7, Peggy started a new banking career in 1965. She worked in all capacities of banking starting as a teller and became Vice President of the Southeastern region of the Bank One Bank, today known as Chase. During this time, she was appointed by Governor Bruce Babbitt to serve on the Arizona Community College Board and served for her seven-year term. Peggy was the first woman to serve on this board. While on the board one of the big accomplishments was to open the way for nursing school and airplane mechanic schools in all counties and not just Cochise County located in Douglas.
Peggy and some friends started the Pride Society of Duncan on Oct. 30, 2001. Peggy, as president, helped to accomplish a lot of beautiful enhancements and renovating a lot of worthwhile projects in Duncan. Some of the first projects were the tree line by the railroad tracks, Sandra Day O’Connor walkway, Packer Park, Lampposts, painting of buildings and Pioneer Award to name a few.
She is survived by her husband of 63 years, Erwin; three sons, Larry Wayne (Bel), Jim (Suzan), and Randy (Denice) and two foster daughters, Sammie Pace (Buddy) and Denise Pace (Mike). She is also survived by numerous grandchildren and great-grandchildren and lots of family and friends.
A viewing will be held Saturday, Oct. 5, 2019, at 9 a.m., followed by the funeral service at 10 a.m., held at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints Duncan Stake Center. Interment will follow in the Duncan Cemetery.
Arrangements are under the direction of McDougal’s Caldwell Funeral Chapel & Gila Valley Crematory. Online condolences may be extended at www.caldwellfuneralchapel.com.
