Peggy Mae Early, 92 years young of Mexico, Missouri, died at home on Wednesday, November 26, 2025 at 7:23 p.m., surrounded by her loved ones.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be at 11 a.m. on Tuesday, December 9, at St. Brendan Catholic Church with Fr. Dave Veit officiating. Burial will follow in St. Brendan Cemetery.

Visitation is from 9:30 a.m. until 10:45 a.m. on Tuesday, December 9, at Arnold Funeral Home.

Peggy was the daughter of Ruby (Elmer) Kribble and grew up in a large, loving family with six sisters and three brothers. On October 27, 1949, she married the love of her life, Paul E. Early Sr., in Mexico, Missouri. They shared 66 wonderful years together. Peggy always said her greatest accomplishment was marrying Paul and, together, raising their children.

Peggy had been a devoted member of Saint Brendan Catholic Church parish since 1964. In earlier years, she was active in the Ladies of Saint Brendan and also worked in the lunchroom at Saint Brendan Catholic School while her children attended.

She earned a degree in floral design and worked at the Garden Gate Florist. Peggy also provided childcare in her home for both family and others. She enjoyed many hobbies—crocheting, cross-stitching, and especially traveling. She and Paul visited 49 states together, and she proudly completed the 50th with a couple of her children and a grandson. One of her most cherished and final trips was a return to Van Buren, Missouri, a favorite family vacation spot, where she visited Big Springs with six of her children.

Surviving are six children, Pat (Wayne) Lunsford of Rush Hill, Phyllis (Gary) Jones of Mexico, Phillip Charles (Christy) Early of Mexico, Priscilla Whitaker of Mexico, Paula (David Polston) Early of Mexico, and Penny (Kenny) Mechlin of Mexico; one daughter-in-law, Patricia Marie Early of Mexico; 21 grandchildren and numerous great-grandchildren and great-great-grandchildren; one brother, John Kribble of Mexico; two sisters, Nancy Blackwell and Marilyn Gibson; and many nieces and nephews.

Peggy is preceded in death by her loving husband, Paul; her mother, Ruby (Elmer) Kribble; five sons, infant twins, James and Robert, Paul Jr. (Dud), Patrick (Rick), and Peter Thomas (PT); maternal and paternal grandparents; one grandson James Harvey Lunsford; four sisters, Barbara Gilman, Dorothy Gipson, Linda Barbaric, and Carol (Bouchie) Huddleston; two brothers, Robert Kribble and Richard (Dickie) Kribble; and one son-in-law, Louis Whitaker.

Memorial donations may be made to the St. Jude Children's Research Hospital or the Wounded Warrior Project. Both may be sent in care of Arnold Funeral Home, 425 S. Jefferson Street, Mexico, MO 65265.