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Delores "Peggy" Howlett of Jacksonville, a community matriarch known to generations as Aunt Peggy, is being remembered for her passion and advocacy for people and equality.
She died Friday at Springfield Memorial Hospital at age 94.
The Paynesville, Missouri, native moved to Jacksonville from Chicago to work at Anderson Clayton Foods. She later was hired at Nestle USA in Jacksonville, from which she retired.
During the nearly five decades she spent in her adopted hometown, Howlett sought to make it better, especially for children and young adults. She helped to set the foundation for a chapter of the NAACP in Jacksonville in the 1960s and the creation of a monument recognizing leader Martin Luther King Jr. She also helped to create the annual Martin Luther King Jr. Day and Juneteenth celebrations in Jacksonville.
She worked tirelessly as a volunteer for Spirit of Faith Soup Kitchen, the NAACP, The Salvation Army and numerous other groups and causes. In 2024, she received a Pillar Award in recognition of her dedication to volunteering, preserving history, and empowering youths.
It was while raising money for a cause years ago that she first met future mayor Andy Ezard. He recalled being impressed by her "straightfoward approach." One conversation led to another and eventually to them working together on common causes.
"I learned so much from our discussions and she helped me tremendously in my role as a public official," Ezard said. "She was a fearless worker that wanted to stay busy. She would tell me she was already old enough and didn’t want to sit still to get older."
He said his family "was blessed" to become close to Aunt Peggy.
"For that we will forever be grateful. I know many that were grateful in knowing her," Ezard said.
For Jacksonville resident Judith Luckenbach Nelson, the introduction to Howlett came later, through her involvement with Morgan County Democrats.
"She was a real force of life," said Nelson, who is the club's president. "She was a very special person, and I will really miss her. I'm really glad I got to know her, because she was really special. She was someone you could count on."
Howlett was a "one-of-a-kind soul who knew how to make every day an adventure," said Marthaellen Florence, director of programming and leadership development at Leadership Lincoln, a civic organization that develops leadership through community immersion, networking and skill-building.
"Miss Peggy gave of herself on so many levels," Florence said. "She helped make Jacksonville the wonderful community it is. Whether she was volunteering, supporting others, or simply bringing people together with her warmth, humor and generous spirit, she made a lasting difference."
The Jacksonville branch of the NAACP said Howlett leaves a lasting legacy of freedom, fighting for justice and truth in the community.
"She was always willing to give of herself for so many causes that affected our community and beyond. She will sorely be missed."
There will be a celebration of life at 4 p.m. Aug. 8 at Buchanan & Cody Funeral Home, 1100 Lincoln Ave., with visitation beginning an hour before the service at the funeral home. Burial will follow in Jacksonville East Cemetery.
