Margaret Mayfield

Margaret, or Peggy as she was known by her friends, was born May 11, 1916, in Port Aransas, Texas, and she passed away in Fort Worth, Texas, on Oct. 16, 2013. Peggy was born Margaret Patterson Usher to Linton and Charlotte Usher. Peggy was the youngest of three siblings, and was preceded in death by her brother John and sister Lucy.

Peggys family and her family history were always important to her. Peggys great-grandfather was Gen. Arthur Patterson, an Indian fighter from Indiana. Her great-great-grandfather was Col. David Chambers, who fought with Washington at Trenton and Princeton in 1776. Peggys ancestors first came to Boston in the 1600s and she had relatives who fought both for America and for England during the War of Independence.

Her Grandfather, John Palmer Usher, was Secretary of Interior under Abraham Lincoln during the Civil War. He was with Lincoln at Gettysburg and was with Lincoln when he died. When John Palmer Usher left the Interior Department he worked for the Union Pacific Railroad as Chief Legal Counsel, and helped push the railroad through to the Pacific Ocean. Her father, Linton Usher, one of four boys, grew up in Washington, D.C., during the Civil War and knew many of the influential people of that time who came and went through the family home. He even remembered meeting Abraham Lincoln on several occasions. Peggys father spent many years exploring the West on horse back, including driving cattle on the Chisholm Trail. He met many of the early pioneers during his travels, including Buffalo Bill (who worked for his father) and Wild Bill Hickok.

Peggy was the wife of Tolbert F. Mayfield, an early pioneer in the Texas Dairy Queens and founder of the Dairy Queens in Johnson County and North Austin. These stores are operated by her descendents today. Peggy is proof that behind every great man is a great woman. Peggy and Tolbert donated the land where the Cleburne branch of Hill College now stands, as well as land for the athletic complex located on Harlin Drive in Cleburne.

Peggy and Tolbert loved to travel. They traveled the world and spent many wonderful summers in their condo is Sequim, Wash., where they enjoyed the cool weather and spending time with their many friends. In later years Peggy became more aware of the shortness of life and always reminded her family to Gather ye rosebuds while ye may. During her lifetime she gathered many rosebuds and remembered them all.

Peggy was a housewife and raised three boys, Robert, Patt and Nathan. Peggy is survived by her children, their wives, five grandchildren and 11 great-grandchildren.

Peggy was a wonderful storyteller and enjoyed telling stories of her life experiences, reciting poetry and playing cards. Peggy was a graduate of Baker University in Kansas and spent a year in graduate school in Boston studying speech. She was always proud of being a Zeta Tau Alpha, which she pledged at Baker University.

Peggy taught Sunday school at the Presbyterian Church in Cleburne when her children were young. She felt it was important for everyone to know the Bible stories and be able to speak in front of crowds.

Peggy will be missed by everyone who knew and loved her.

Goodbye, Mom. We will miss you.