Mrs. Peggy Childress Gilkey, 79, of Newburgh, Indiana, and formerly of Princeton, Kentucky, passed peacefully on Sunday, December 21, 2025, at Brickyard Healthcare – Woodlands in Newburgh, IN.
She was the daughter of the late James and Geneva Childress. Peggy was preceded in death by her husband, Kenneth Gilkey; her son, James Barnes; her sister, Anna Jeanette (Childress) Gilkey; and her brother, Michael Childress.
Survivors include her son, Dr. Chris Gilkey (Alicia); grandchildren, Taylor Gilkey, Nathan Gilkey (Brenna), Lauren Herr (Max), and Lindsey Gilkey (Daniel Durchholz); great-grandchildren, Elsy Gilkey, Beau Gilkey, Gretchen Herr, and Anderson Herr; her niece, Carrie Childress; her brother, Brad Childress (Teresa).
Peggy attended Caldwell County High School in Princeton, Kentucky, and worked for many years in the restaurant business in Princeton. She was a charter member of the Caldwell County, Kentucky Genealogical Society, a member of the Tri-State Genealogy Society, Friends of Willard Library, and Friends of the Glenn A. Martin Genealogy Library.
Peggy was a member of Calvary Baptist Church in Princeton, KY. She was an active member of the Daughters of the American Revolution, Ohio Valley Chapter, in Evansville, Indiana, where she served as Registrar. Alongside her husband, Kenneth, she also served as Webmaster for the chapter website for 11 years and participated in numerous parades and community events.
Peggy devoted her life to family, history, and service. She was a proud Kentucky Colonel and a passionate genealogist who spent countless hours preserving family stories and histories so future generations would always know where they came from. Her dedication to heritage was more than a hobby-it was her legacy. Peggy will be missed greatly by all who knew and loved her.
A private graveside service will be held for the family at Fairview Cemetery.
Morgan’s Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
