Peggy Rogers

Peggy Joyce Rogers, age 95, passed away peacefully on January 15, 2020, surrounded by her loving family. Born on January 5, 1925, in Fort Worth, TX to the late Thomas and Viola Persinger, Peggy graduated from Northside High School in 1941. Peggy broke the barriers of what was expected of women in the 40s, 50s and 60s. She was a force to be reckoned with in the Dallas restaurant scene for four decades. In 1948, Peggy helped open Howard & Peggy's restaurant near the SMU campus with then husband, Howard Rogers, all while raising her four children. However, after a divorce in the 1960s, Peggy would become its sole proprietor and changed the name to the now legendary Peggy's Beef Bar, a landmark staple in the University Park area for decades. Peggy was adored by her many regular patrons and respected by her competitors. On any given day during lunch rush, you could find her at the cash register taking orders from a loyal legion of hungry customers that would be lined up out the door, waiting patiently to get their hands on one of her famous chopped brisket sandwiches, fried pies and onion rings. Frequently appearing in local magazines and newspapers, Peggy created a legacy that would last well beyond her retirement in 1987. Today the restaurant remains in the exact same spot in Snider Plaza, under new ownership and a slightly different name, but still carries on the tradition of smoked brisket and fried pies that was started by Peggy 70 years ago. Peggy loved her family, friends, crossword puzzles, Miller Lite and the Dallas Cowboys. To her colleagues, friends and neighbors she was known as Peggy, a fiercely independent woman who was respected, admired and loved by all who knew her. But to her family, she was just Granny. It seems unbearable to have to say goodbye to the matriarch of our family, our mother, our grandmother, our great-grandmother and our friend, but we are beyond blessed to have had her in our lives for so long. Our beloved Granny was preceded in death by her sister Doris Persinger and brother J. Persinger, her children H. David Rogers, Katie Johnson and Lonnie Rogers. She is survived by her son Stuart Rogers and his wife Carrie of Grand Junction, CO, with whom she lived with and who so lovingly cared for her during her last few years on earth.  She also leaves behind her grandchildren Jeff Johnson (Stacey), Jennifer Current (Mike), Amanda Spaid (Chase), Aaron Rogers and his mother Louise, Dave Rogers (Andrea) and Ansley Rogers, as well as eight great-grandchildren. Also to cherish her memory is her best friend, Marilyn Hulse, who she loved dearly and couldn’t have lived without, as well as the late Melba Westbrook, who she’s definitely having a cocktail with in the afterlife. If you so desire, feel free to make a donation to your local Hospice or to a charity of your choice in Peggy’s memory.