Peggy Backs

Margaret Jane (Peggy) Backs went to be with the Lord Monday in the Baxter County Arkansas Regional Medical Center surrounded by her family. Peggy was born Margaret Jane Richardson on December 21, 1927 in Toledo, Ohio to Jack R. Olsen-Richardson and Anna Katherine Reynolds Richardson. Soon after, Peggy was adopted by Stanley Robb and Mayfa Myrel (Haines) Smith. On June 22, 1991 in Eureka Springs, Arkansas, Peggy married Ray Backs, who survives.
All her life Peggy was deeply committed to animal rescue, with an emphasis on dogs. She volunteered at the Eureka Springs Humane Society for 10 years. Peggy was also a member of Mensa.


She was preceded in death by both parents, daughter Margaret Ann Ochmanek, son Harvey L. Gipson, Jr. and sister Helen Thomas.


Besides her beloved husband, Peggy is survived by daughters Gloria Ochmanek Schuman, of Columbus, Ohio; Gloria Gipson Ingle of Collierville, Tennessee; and Mary Ann Reiter of Camp Verde, Arizona; sons, Charles Smith-Hubaker and Robert ?Joe? Jeffries; sister, Jackie Blessing of Lake Arthur, New Mexico; loving step-daughter Sherrie Byrne of Rogers, Arkansas; and loving step-sons Andy, Darrell and Dale Backs of Berryville, Arkansas. Peggy has 19 grandchildren and 15 great grandchildren.


The family requests that in lieu of flowers, contributions be made to the Humane Society.