After 98 remarkable years, Peggy Boswell Johnson passed away peacefully on August 31, 2025, in the loving presence of family.
Peggy was born on January 27, 1927, in Jackson, to Dr. Henry Boswell, Superintendent of the Mississippi State Sanatorium, and Lola Saunders Boswell. She enjoyed an idyllic childhood growing up at "The San" in Simpson County, graduated from Magee High School, and went on to study at Belhaven College before earning a Bachelor of Arts in music from Newcomb College in New Orleans (Class of 1948, Chi Omega). In 1949, she married Dr. Samuel B. Johnson, and together moved across the country for U.S. Navy appointments before settling in the Belhaven neighborhood of Jackson in 1953.
A lifelong supporter of the arts and her community, Peggy served as president of Opera Mississippi, president of the Opera Guild, and chorus mistress, as well as president and treasurer of McDowell Music Club, where she remained an active member well into her 90s. At First Baptist Church of Jackson, she dedicated more than 60 years to teaching Sunday School, earning the affectionate nickname "Rabbi" for her deep Biblical knowledge. She also led in the Women's Missionary Union, serving as president and in many other roles. Beyond her church and community service, Peggy was proud of her 50 years as bookkeeper for the Department of Ophthalmology at the University of Mississippi Medical Center.
Those who knew Peggy will remember her in the everyday moments she cherished —watching Braves baseball, making her famous peanut butter fudge, preparing her Sunday School lessons, or gathering family around the table for one of her wonderful meals.
Peggy is survived by her son, Lee Johnson (Peggy) of Hurst, Texas; her daughters, Margaret Johnson Sudduth and Alice Boswell Johnson of Jackson; and her four grandchildren: Emily Giffen (Danny) of Birmingham; Elizabeth Eveland (Dan) of Jackson; David Johnson (Elizabeth) of Arlington; and Julia Bauman (Kyle) of North Richland Hills, Texas. She was also blessed with 12 great-grandchildren-Britton, Lia Kate, and Collins Giffen; Henry, Lyons. and Garrison Eveland; Sam, Caroline, Will, and Luke Johnson; and Levi and Caleb Bauman— along with numerous nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents and Dr. Sam Johnson; her siblings Helen Dear, Col. Henry Boswell II, Georgia Tyson, and Barbara Stauss; and her grandson, Jonathan Boling.
A celebration of her life will be held at First Baptist Church of Jackson on September 8, with visitation beginning at 10:30 a.m. in rooms 237-8, where she taught Sunday School for many years, and the service at 11:30 a.m. in the Chapel. Memorials may be made to First Baptist Church Jackson's WMU, Bear Valley Community Church of Colleyville, Texas, or the charity of your choice. The family extends heartfelt gratitude to Baptist Hospice and Highland Home for their loving care.
