Peggy A. Sartain

Dr. Peggy Ann Sartain, 76, died Sept. 22, 2010, at The Summit at Lakeway in Austin due to complications from a stroke in April. Born Feb. 4, 1934 in Arp, she was the eldest daughter of Forrest Lee Sartain and Beatrice Inez Smith Sartain.

Baptized at the First Baptist Church in Arp, she later spent her teenage years in Kilgore. During her professional medical career, she resided in Dallas, and retired in 1990 to Horseshoe Bay.

She attended public schools in Arp as well as Kilgore, graduating as salutatorian from Kilgore High School, where she was involved in many activities, in 1951.

She attended Baylor University in Waco from 1951-1955, receiving her bachelor of science degree in biology with minors in chemistry and English in 1955. Her lifelong love and support of Baylor started during this time.

Upon graduation, she attended the University of Texas at Galveston Medical School, graduating with a medical degree in 1959. Her training continued at Memorial Hermann Hospital/Washington, D.C., General hospital as she completed her internship in 1960 with a specialty in pediatrics.

She completed her pediatric hematology residency at Children’s Medical Center, part of Parkland Memorial Hospital, in Dallas in 1961.

During her professional medical career, she described herself as a “plain, ordinary, no-frills person” who had a job she adored:  Working with sick children. From 1960-1989, she was a pediatrician specializing in oncology and hematology at Children’s Medical Center. Her career began when she joined the Hematology One Program at the hospital for a one-year internship working in medical research focused on children’s blood-related diseases; this became a 29-year career at the medical center.

Her contributions to medicine were not limited to the treatment of children and their blood diseases. She also served as an associate professor of pediatrics at The University of Texas Southwestern Medical School, teaching hundreds of medical students in pediatric oncology-hematology, as well as being a prolific medical researcher and author of many articles in the Southwest Medical Journal, the Journal of Pediatrics, The New England Journal of Medicine and Southern Medical Journal to name a few.

In addition, she participated in two separate United States/South Vietnam pediatric initiatives with the South Vietnam Children’s Hospital in the early 1970s, living in Saigon and traveling extensively.

In 1979, she was a founding board member of the Ronald McDonald House in Dallas.

She also served as “camp doctor” and founding board member at Camp Esperanza/Camp John Marc for seriously ill children. Known as the “Big Kahuna” to thousands of children-patients, colleagues and co-workers, she was beloved by all.

In 1990, she was selected as an Outstanding Alumnae of Baylor University.  That same year she was also recognized as an Outstanding Baylor Alumnae by the Dallas Baylor Women’s Council. When she retired, the Peggy Sartain Library and Conference Room was named in her honor at Children’s Medical Center.

She led a very active life in Horseshoe Bay, participating in the Horseshoe Bay Women’s Golf Association, the Horseshoe Bay 19 Hole Club, past President of the Highland Fling Golf Tournament, trustee of the Church at Horseshoe Bay, past board member of Hill Country Community Theatre; past board member, secretary and treasurer of the Horseshoe Bay Homeowners Association; Dallas Baylor Women’s Council, Life Member of the Baylor Alumni Association and Baylor University Heritage Club.

Her greatest enjoyments including “watching the deer and Texas wildflowers grow,” playing golf, being an avid reader and working crossword puzzles, watching Dallas Cowboys and Baylor Bear football, and playing Tuesday afternoon bridge with the Horseshoe Bay gals.

Survivors include nieces Holly Robinson Young of London and Amy Robinson of Farmers Branch; nephew-in-law Robert “Buddy” Young of London; cousin Mary Jane Denson of Troup, Carolyn Peacher of  Alexandria, Va., and Bettye Salvans of Quinlan; and other relatives.

She was preceded in death by her parents; sister Nancy Sartain Robinson; and brother-in-law Larry D. Robinson.

A memorial service is 11 a.m. Sept. 28 at the Church at Horseshoe Bay, 600 Hi Ridge in Horseshoe Bay. 
Upon cremation, internment will be at Ebenezer Cemetery in Arp.

Arrangements are by Clements-Wilcox Funeral Home, 1805 U.S. 281 North in Marble Falls, (830) 693-4373.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in her memory to Special Camp for Special Kids-Camp John Marc, The Church at Horseshoe Bay and the Marble Falls Public Library.

Online condolences may be offered at www.clementswilcoxfuneralhome.com.