Peggy Ann (Wagner) Holmes

She was often told she was as beautiful as a Hollywood movie star.  And like a line from a movie script, it often began with:“Superintendent’s Office”.

Mimi (as she was lovingly called by her family) attended Cooter Schools and graduated with the class of 1950. During high school, she attended the Stamps Baxter School of Music in Little Rock, Arkansas, and the Gospel Music Academy in Nashville, Tennessee, where she was well liked and made life-long friends. From there, she played piano for numerous Southern Gospel Quartets travelling throughout the Bootheel of Missouri and Northeast Arkansas.

Mimi met the love of her life, Kenneth Holmes, at Tyler Baptist Church. They married in August 1954. Peggy and Kenneth set an amazing example on how to love unconditionally. They raised two daughters in a life filled with wonderful memories.

Later in her life, she also played piano and organized tours for a singing group called The Singspirations which included her husband (tour bus driver) and two daughters (singers). 

Mimi enjoyed a successful career at Cooter, Missouri Public School System. She began her career as a senior in high school in 1950 as she was selected to serve as Secretary to the Superintendent and the Board of Education. Mimi served under a total of eight Superintendents. Upon retirement, Mimi was honored as being the longest tenured employee at the State of Missouri Department of Education. Her charming personality and strong work ethic made her a wonderful representative for the administration, staff and students of the Cooter Public School System. 

Mimi was known for her dry wit and true Southern personality. She believed in the strength of family, of unconditional love, of making the best of whatever life handed her, and especially not complaining or taking oneself too seriously. She spoke her mind without restraint and throughout her life served as a thoughtful advisor to many of those in her orbit, whether it be family, friends, neighborhood children (including school students and her Children’s Sunday School classes from Tyler Baptist Church) and the many who assisted her and became her support network in these final few years.

Being outdoors brought joy to Mimi. Playing the piano was a true love of hers. But her second “greatest” talent was gardening. If she wasn’t at work, she was in her garden. Mimi was known for her glorious gardens. And - oh by the way - she passed that love of gardening to her Granddaughters.

She was a faithful member of Holly Grove Baptist Church and showed her love of Jesus to everyone she met and in everything she did. 

If one looked up Webster’s definition of the true Southern family woman, you’d find her picture. Mimi was preceded in death by her Mother and Father - Arthur Wagner and Beulah Barger Wagner, and her Sisters - Joy Wagner Jones, Sarah Jane Wagner, and Jane Cook Hollis. She is survived by her Daughters: Deborah (Debbie) Elaine Holmes Daniel (James) and Hope Rene Holmes Fazenbaker (Brian); Grandchildren: Tyler Rhea Daniel (Candace), Hollie Elaine Collins (Clint), Mackenzie Ann Garcia-Fazenbaker (Seyda); one Great Grand-Daughter: Elaina Ann Daniel; and one Great Grand-Son: Grayson Nance.

Here's one last final statistic we would like to leave today: when Mimi retired after 70 years of employment, our independent team of Certified Public Accountants estimated Mimi answered her office phone (on the first ring) over 500,000 times during her career.  Once again: “Superintendent’s Office!”

Funeral services will be held on Monday, May 5, 2025, at 11:00 a.m. at Holly Grove Baptist Church in Cooter, Missouri, with Brother Dave Lewelling and Jeff Whitlock officiating. Private family interment to follow service.

Visitation will begin at 10:00 a.m.

To celebrate and honor the memory of Peggy, please wear bright colors or floral for the service.

In lieu of flowers, the family request memorials be given to Holly Grove Baptist Church, Cooter Fire Department, or St. Jude Children's Hospital.

H.S. Smith Funeral Home in charge of services.

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