Peggy Joy Dale Dumas left this Earth on May 9, 2026, to join her beloved husband, James Russell Dumas, Jr., in heaven after a mere one month apart. Married 63 years and 7 months, Peggy Joy must have decided she needed to be with her Darling so they could once again dance in each other’s arms as they have loved to do since high school. Born on January 15, 1942, in Pontotoc, Mississippi, Peggy Joy was the oldest child of Jessica Rudelle Phillips Dale and John S. Dale and big sister to Jan Dale Beck Clouse (Russell) and June Dale Harrison (Mike).

James Russell and Peggy Joy raised a loving family of five children: Irene Dumas Tyson (Rob), James Russell Dumas, III (Cindy), John Dale Dumas (Jennifer), Sorena Dumas Vinson (Cris), and Jeremiah Percy Dumas (Hope). She instilled in each of her children a deep sense of hospitality and a habit of opening their homes to all.

They were blessed with 18 grandchildren: Jessica Phillips Rammo (Fadi), Virginia Boyd James (John), Anne Watkins Davidson (Andrew), Ruth Emmon Tyson, Russell Dumas (Liz), Camille Dumas, John Polk Dumas (Madelynn), Marganie Bradshaw (Blake), Jack Dumas (Lauren), Lacey Dumas, James David Dumas, Onsby Vinson, Stella Bennett (Riley), Lawson Joy Dumas, Katherine Dumas, Phelps Dumas, Watkins Dumas, and Edison Dumas. And if they were not enough to love, God blessed them with 11 great grandchildren: Campbell James, Robert James, Anderson James, Nell Davidson, Drew Davidson, James Russell Dumas, Wilks Dumas, John Thomas Dumas, John Byers Dumas, Hattie Dumas, and Ann Bryant Bennett with two more great granddaughters - Baby Bradshaw and Baby Rammo - expected to join the family this summer.

An honor graduate of Prentiss High School, Peggy Joy was the co-editor of The Growl yearbook, the 1958 FFA Sweetheart, a campus beauty, Homecoming maid, and a cheerleader. She entered Ole Miss in 1959, where she was a member of Kappa Kappa Gamma Sorority and served as president of the pledge class. She was the 1960 Miss Hospitality of Prentiss, a title that defined her spirit throughout her life.

On September 15, 1962, Peggy Joy married her childhood sweetheart and began the greatest adventure of her life: building a life together. Through dental school, starting a family, starting a dental practice, creating a home, and navigating all of life’s joys and challenges, Peggy Joy and James Russell proved that love is, indeed, the greatest thing of all.

She served as PTO President at both Carrollton Presbyterian School in New Orleans and Prentiss Christian School. She held numerous leadership positions with the Prentiss Twentieth Century Club, including president. She was a leader in the Mississippi Dental Association Women’s Auxiliary and cherished the deep friendships with other wives who supported and advanced their husbands’ dental careers. She was always the first to volunteer when something needed to be done.

Romans 12:13 instructs believers to practice hospitality. Peggy Joy lived these words daily. Her legacy was her table - Momma’s table. Each day, she went above and beyond in practicing hospitality with that table as the centerpiece. She welcomed people warmly, lifted weary souls, made people feel seen, and fed them generously with more than good food. There was always another chair, another plate and encouragement to go back for more. A few lives were turned around because Peggy Joy welcomed them to join the family for Christmas, Thanksgiving, Sunday lunch or a meal of leftovers. Many beyond her grandchildren came to think of her as their Grandy because she made them feel like family.

Peggy Joy treasured hosting parties, family reunions, lunches for visiting governors and Congressmen, and bridge club with her mother, Rudelle. Although an Ole Miss Rebel, Peggy Joy gave 100% when all her children went to Mississippi State. She served delicious hospitality to hundreds at the Prentiss Chow Dawgs tailgates, where everyone looked forward to her chess squares, artichoke squares, Better Than Sex Cake, muffulettas, Bloody Mary’s, and Mexican cornbread.

Peggy Joy and James Russell designed Dogwood Hill as a beautiful, loving home with a wraparound porch and plenty of room for family and friends to gather. Every room, each piece of furniture, each heirloom or work of art reflected her vision for beauty, function, and authenticity and her spirit of hospitality. Peggy Joy’s soul flourished in the kitchen. Her spaghetti, tuna fish salad, Sunday lunches of roast beef with rice and gravy, étouffée, barbeque shrimp, and Peggy Joy soup were legendary. She delighted when granddaughters called for recipes. Her best recipes were from her soul with a little of this, a little of that, chopping it just right and knowing when to stir. In the last few years, she looked forward to her afternoon sabbaticals on the front porch -moments of joy, listening to birds and watching the world go by on Highway 13.

Peggy Joy was blessed with lifelong childhood friends known as “The Gang” - Peggy Joy, Georgia Faye, Mary Ceil, Bonnie Jean, Linda Paul, Maggie Bell, Patti Rose, Sandra, May Beth, and Luran. Still close later in life, The Gang gathered around her table, laughing, drinking wine, reliving old times, and walking with each other through age and passings. For over 25 years, Peggy Joy and James Russell enjoyed spending time at their apartment on Chartres Street and gathering in the courtyard with dear neighbors over gumbo, breakfasts, cocktails and interesting conversations.

Becoming Grandy was among the greatest joys of her life. For dozens of summers, she welcomed grandchildren to “Camp Dumas” at Dogwood Hill where they enjoyed Grandy’s cooking, cheerleading camp, swimming, fishing, and countless Halls Snowflakes and Pickle Dr. Peppers. She had an endless supply of energy, discipline and love for her grandchildren.

Peggy Joy and James Russell were devoted partners in raising their children with shared values, approaches to discipline and unconditional love. While he was the coach, she was the manager, tirelessly driving to hundreds of practices, games, lessons and appointments. She made sure uniforms were ready and her children were nourished for optimal performance. She nursed broken hearts and broken bones. She was fiercely loyal to her family, strong-willed and generous beyond measure.

In honor of Peggy Joy, please practice hospitality every day. Welcome all to your table, share what you have, and love.

A celebration of Peggy Joy’s life will be held on Friday, May 29, at Prentiss Methodist Church with visitation from 9:00 - 11:00 a.m. and the service at 11:00 a.m., followed by a continued celebration at Dogwood Hill.

Online condolences and a guest registry are available at www.saultersmoorefuneralhome.com