Peggy (Tomlin) Owens, 84, of Springfield, passed away June 20 after an extended illness. Peggy was born Dec. 4, 1931, in Plant City, Florida to Col. Robert and Margaret (Watt) Tomlin.

As an "army brat," Peggy attended 10 schools before graduating from high school in El Paso, Texas. Because she loved to write, she headed off to the University of Missouri at age 16 to pursue a major in journalism.

Peggy married her college sweetheart Jim Owens in 1951, and they were partners in life for 65 years. After starting their married life in Kansas City, they moved to Springfield in 1968 and raised two sons and a daughter: Steve Owens and wife Cindy, who have three sons, Matthew, Michael and David; Robert Owens and wife Brenda, who have daughter Abby and son Sam; and Meg Townsend and husband Mark, who have son Joe and daughter Maggie.

Family was everything to Peggy and Jim. After growing up in so many places, Peggy wanted nothing more than to create a stable and loving environment for her children. She did that, plus so much more. She was a constant presence and offered enthusiastic support for everything they did. She shared her love of tennis with them and as a result, they achieved MVTA and state awards as well as university letters.

She also set an excellent example of what it means to be loyal, caring and kind. She was an avid volunteer for her community, her sorority, her college and her children's activities. Peggy was active on many civic boards, including the Dogwood Trails Girl Scout Council, the Bentley House Museum, the Jr. Leagues of Kansas City and Springfield, and Family YMCA.

For the University of Missouri, she served as a trustee of the Jefferson Club, as a board member of the Chancellor's Fund, was a founding member of the Kappa Kappa Gamma Golden Key Scholarship Fund and established the Margaret T. Owens Writers' Scholarship in the School of Journalism.

Peggy is survived by her husband and her children as well as her half siblings Alison Tomlin Shelton and Robin Tomlin Swallow of California; her nephews Jeff Anglen, Lindsay Anglen and Randy Anglen.

Preceding her in death were infant daughters Anne and Jane Owens; her parents; her aunt Virginia (Watt) Granberry; her half brother Pete McLamb; and her sister- and brother-in-law Mary Alice and George Anglen.

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the Margaret T. Owens Writers' Scholarship (University of Missouri School of Journalism, 103 Neff Hall, Columbia, Mo. 65211 or Christ Episcopal Church (601 E. Walnut St., Springfield, Mo. 65806)

A memorial service will be held at 11 a.m. on Friday, June 24 at Christ Episcopal Church with private inurnment in the church's columbarium. A reception at the church will follow the service.