Peggy Smith Crittenden of Gloucester, Virginia, passed peacefully on Friday, March 6, 2026, surrounded by her loving family. Peggy was born on April 8, 1929 in Ware Neck, Virginia, to the late Edward Guy Smith and Mildred Hogg Smith, where her father ran the local general store for many years. She had an adventurous childhood, surrounded by close-knit families, many of whom worshipped side by side at Singleton United Methodist Church. Those early years in Ware Neck shaped Peggy’s lifelong commitment to family, community, friendship, and faith. She graduated from Botetourt High School and later attended Longwood Women’s College, and met the love of her life, Bill, at the roller-skating rink in Urbanna, Virginia. The two were married in 1950 at Singleton Church.
They soon moved to Richmond, where Bill pursued Dentistry, and Peggy taught at Douglass Freeman High School. Peggy and Bill eventually returned to Gloucester, where Bill opened his dental practice, and the two built a home on the Ware River. Peggy always said her greatest blessings were the days she brought each of her precious children home: Billy, Guy and Ann. Their home was full of life, laughter, and adventures on the Ware River.
Peggy devoted her time not only to her children and family but also to her community. She was active for many years in the Gloucester Mathews Garden Club, the Woman’s Club, and Willing Workers through the church. One of her lifelong contributions was especially evident in her 80 years as organist of Singleton Church, where her music became a beloved part of Sunday services and special occasions. If there was a gathering, a celebration, or someone who needed help, you could count on Peggy to be there—always with a warm smile, her renowned fried chicken, or an original Peggy Crittenden knitted gift. She was known for her sharp Southern wit and the funny, well-timed sayings that could make a whole room laugh. Peggy was a beloved wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, and friend whose life was defined by deep loyalty, generosity, and unwavering devotion to those she loved. Peggy was preceded in death by her loving husband, William “Bill” W. Crittenden Jr., D.D.S., and daughter, Ann Crittenden. Peggy is survived by her sons, Billy Crittenden and his wife Lori, Guy Crittenden and his wife Melanie; her daughter-in-law, Sherrie Goggans; grandchildren, Sarah Crittenden Mitchell and her husband Gregg, Lindsay Crittenden Leonard and her husband Charlie, Hannah Crittenden, Alexis Crittenden, and Melanie G. Crittenden, and her great-grandchildren, Lilly Crittenden, Cooper Crittenden, Kai Leonard, and Jackson Leonard. A Celebration of Life for Peggy will be held at 2 p.m. on Sunday, March 15, 2026, at Singleton United Methodist Church, conducted by the Rev. Calvin Griffin, and interment will follow in the church cemetery. The family requests that memorial contributions be made to Singleton United Methodist Church (Building Fund), P.O. Box 27, Schley, Va. 23154, or to Gloucester Volunteer Fire and Rescue Squad, P.O. Box 1417, Gloucester, Va. 23061, in support of a community she loved. There are not enough words to thank the entire staff at Heron Cove 1 for the love and exceptional care shown to Peggy, as well as the family.
We are blessed with the gift of Peggy in our lives, and we send her off, as she so often did with us, with a tight, warm hug and a soft, sweet “I love you.”
Services under the direction of Hogg Funeral Home.