Peggy Ann Voorhies

Peggy Ann Voorhies, beloved daughter, sister, aunt and friend, passed away on January 2, 2024, at the age of 80.  She was born on October 8, 1943, in Taylor, Texas to Thomas Morris Voorhies and Ann McCain Voorhies.  In honor of Peggy’s life and in lieu of flowers the family has asked that you send a donation to One Calling Global Ministries at www.oc-gm.org/Page/26193.

Peggy and her family moved to Kaufman, Texas in the 1950’s where her life as a Kaufman Lion began.  In the 3^rd grade, she met Betty Butler (Babovec) and Linda Phillips who became her best friends.  In high school Peggy enjoyed playing the saxophone in the Lion marching band.  She was so proud of the band jacket she got as a member of the band and treasured it always.  Peggy graduated from Kaufman High School in 1962.  After graduation she spent a few years trying to find her niche in life.  She spent a year in California before deciding to come back to Texas where she began working as a bookkeeper for Horizon Oil Company in Dallas.  The work was interesting, and Peggy was a natural at math and bookkeeping.  She met Gary Q. Carmichael, an Engineer with the Corps of Engineers.  She left Horizon Oil and the two began a life together building their own surveying company, Allied Tech, located in Athens, Texas.  They were not only business partners but life partners, devoted to one another.  Gary passed away in 2012 but Peggy continued running the business for a few more years before retiring in 2014.

Peggy’s favorite activities included playing cards with her friends, shopping and traveling with her sister-in-law Patty Cave, and going out to dinner and a movie with anyone who would join her.  One of her most treasured activities was attending Ladies Bible Study at Gray’s Prairie Missionary Baptist Church.  She loved to visit the elderly in nursing homes and also became very involved with her nephew’s ministry in Africa.  Due in part to her benevolence, a children’s feeding center was built in Malawi.  She not only blessed the lives of many children around the world, she helped care for local families and complete strangers who were in need.  She was truly a person with a benevolent heart. 

Although Peggy was not blessed with children of her own, she considered her nephew, James (Jamey) Voorhies and her two nieces, Julie Voorhies Westmoreland and Joella Voorhies Hutchinson her own.  They became “her children” and their children were her’s as well.

Peggy Voorhies was preceded in death by her parents, Morris and Ann Voorhies; her brother, William Voorhies, and her spouse and lifelong partner, Gary Carmichael, and her furry baby, Toby.

Those left to cherish her memory include: Sister-in-Law, Patty Cave and  husband Gary; Nephew, James Voorhies and wife Kelly; Nieces: Julie Voorhies Westmoreland and husband Keith: Joellla Voorhies Hutchinson and husband Ryan; great nieces and and nephews: Gracie Ivey Means and husband Travis; Garrison Ivey; Cori Hutchinson; Cooper Hutchinson; Courtney Homer Mason and husband Montana; Codie Homer; Katie Voorhies; and best friend Betty Babovec.

Peggy’s loving heart and true friendship will be missed by all who were blessed to be part of her life.  She knew Jesus as her savior and friend. Go with God Sweet Peggy.  Till we meet again.