Vivian Anna Gail Pegues

Celebrating the Life of

VIVIAN ANNA GAIL (PATTON) PEGUES

Sunrise: February 7, 1947  ~  Sunset:  April 15, 2020

Vivian Anna Gail Pegues was born in the small rural town of Bridgeport, Oklahoma, February 7, 1947 to the Parents of Ben Clifton Patton and Marie Grant.  Her mother later married George Robinson and Vivian became the oldest of seven other siblings: Virginia, Donnie Marie, Brenda, George Jr., Jerry, Timothy, Myra and siblings on her father’s side of the family (The Pattons).

Vivian graduated from Chickasha High School in 1964, she then attended Oklahoma State Technical University and received her Associates Degree.   She continued her education at Central State University, Edmond, Oklahoma where she completed her Bachelors of Arts degree in Criminal Justice in 1976, a Masters of Education in Community College Education, and Sociology.  She also pursued a post graduate doctoral degree in Human Resources at Oklahoma State University.

Vivian was united in holy matrimony to Luther Pegues and they had 3 children, Stephanie, Tiffanie and Luther.

Vivian was a very determined, hard-working, and driven woman.  She was inspired by her Mother Marie Robinson and Ms. B.C. Fletcher, a professional educator.  Both of these women instilled in Vivian the tenacity to be committed, never give up on her dreams, and not settle for less in life.

Vivian was a woman of many firsts, she helped open Mabel Bassett, the first Women’s Correctional facility in Oklahoma City.   In 1980 she was appointed by then Tulsa Mayor, Jim Inhoff as the Executive Director of the Tulsa Oklahoma’s Department Human Rights, becoming the first African American female administrator in the history of the City of Tulsa.   During her tenure as the Director, she helped draft legislative proposals and policy statements for Tulsa’s first Minority/Woman’s Owned Business Enterprise Program.   Vivian continued to be a driving force during her tenure with the State of Oklahoma, where she coordinated the First Annual Minority Business Conference as well as hosted many other workshops to help minority women and small owned businesses.

Vivian was always involved in her communities by serving on various boards and organizations including: Alpha Kappa Alpha, Sorority, Inc., The Urban League of Greater Oklahoma City, Urban League of Tulsa, Oklahoma Indian Chamber of Commerce, and the Dallas National Council of Negro Women and many more.  She was greatly admired and respected because of her commitment to serving others and her community.

After her retirement from the State of Oklahoma, Vivian moved to Texas to be with her 3 children.  She was previously a devoted member of Prospect Baptist Church in Oklahoma City, and upon relocation to Dallas she became an active member of Concord Church where she loved Bible study.  She also loved music and dancing, she finally learned to dance and started line dancing with the Desoto Steppers and the Soul Inspirational Line dancers.  Dancing with her friends brought her much joy and many friends.   She also loved her many nieces and nephews, her god-children and great-grandchildren who called her “Banana”.

Mom was beautiful, outgoing, and jazzy with a larger than life personality. She loved all, and we all loved her. She was preceded in death by her parents and step father, sisters Stella Robinson, Virginia Allen, Myra Robinson, and a brother George Robinson, Jr.  She is survived by her 3 loving children Stephanie Pegues-Cooper (Michael) Waxahachie, Texas, Tiffanie Pegues Lancaster, Texas, and Luther “Luke” Pegues, Dallas, Texas. Siblings: Donnie Marie, Ingram, Oklahoma City, Ok.,  Brenda Radford, Midwest City, Ok.,  Jerry Robinson, Argo Summitt, IL.,  Timothy Robinson, Benner Township, PA.,  Grand-children Michael Cooper (Sharmaine) Monica Sadler (Marcus), great grand-children Marcus Sadler II, Maliah Sadler all from Dallas, Texas, and a host of nieces and nephews. In lieu of flowers Vivian requested donations be made to the American Heart Association or the Arthritis Foundation Oklahoma in her honor.  Visitation will be held on Wednesday, April 22, 2020 from 11am until 7pm at the West-Hurtt Funeral Home, 215 S. Hampton Rd, Desoto, Texas 75115.  (972 223 6314)