Margaret (Peggy) Payne Wrightson, 71, of Heathsville, Virginia passed away February 9, 2026. She was born August 27, 1954 in Washington, DC, the daughter of the late Keith Payne and Doris Buhl Payne. She is preceded in death by her first husband Thomas C. Edwards, their son Thomas C. Edwards, Jr. (Melanie); her second husband Edward P. Jackson; her brother Keith E. Payne (Donna); and her beloved best friend Edith Underwood. She is survived by her husband, Thomas Wrightson; her sister Pat Payne; her nephew and nieces: Ryan Kirsh (Jennifer), Kathryn Kirsh, Tara Martin (Dave) and Erin Payne; as well as her stepchildren Thomas R. Wrightson (Valerie), Mark Jackson (Vickie), David Jackson (Darlene) and Andrea Pittman (Mark); and her step grandchildren. Peggy tried and mostly succeeded in keeping in touch with them all.

Peggy went to work for the FBI right after completing high school where she was a varsity cheerleader. She spent her career there diligently doing her part to keep our country safe for 37 years. Upon retirement, she returned to her permanent home in the Northern Neck where she had spent many of her summers and vacations. She was frequently on the water and taught many a youngster how to handle a boat properly. If a kid was lucky enough to be invited onto Peggy’s boat, they quickly learned to be on time. If they weren’t already aboard when she was finished filling the gas tank, they got left behind.

She will be missed.

There will be a Memorial Service at 11:30 a.m. on March 14, 2026 at Good Shepherd Lutheran Church, 1717 Hampton Hall Road, Callao, VA 22435.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in her memory to Smith Point Sea Rescue, P.O. Box 662, Burgess, VA 22432. Their website also has other donation options.