Margaret Anderson

Margaret Martin Kirk Shelton Anderson, MD, age 100 years, the youngest child of Donald and Ruth McMaster Kirk, born in Bucks AL, died peacefully November 8, 2023, in Bryan TX.

Known to her friends as Peggy, she lived a full and fiercely independent life. She was a world traveler, an excellent bridge player, a voracious reader, a volunteer for Brazos Valley Meals on Wheels, and she loved fishing and Texas A&M football.

Peggy was best known as a physician. She received her BS in chemistry and mathematics from University of Montevallo, Montevallo AL, in 1943. She graduated  from Tulane University School of Medicine, New Orleans, in 1947. She was the first female physician hired by the Ochsner Clinic, New Orleans. Peggy was in private practice in internal medicine in Houston, 1962-1977. She was assistant director of the Tulane University Health Service, New Orleans, in 1978. She moved to College Station in 1980, where she served as a staff physician at the A.P. Beutel Health Center (the “Quack Shack”), Texas A&M University, until her retirement in 1994. One of Peggy’s fondest memories was the time she was ship’s surgeon aboard the Texas A&M Maritime Academy vessel USTS Texas Clipper, 1990.

Peggy is preceded in death by her husbands Marion Dewitt Shelton and Frank Clayton Anderson, her son Stephen Franklin Shelton, and her siblings Donald Kirk and Mary Kirk Kelly. She is survived by her daughter, Martha Erin Shelton Strong (husband Mark), grandchildren Katherine Ann Strong Burkett (husband Kyle) and Andrew Kirk Strong (wife Maria), three great-grandchildren (Molly, Claire, and William) and numerous nephews and nieces.

The family expresses deep appreciation to Joe Alderete of College Station for the longtime and consistent support, respect, and friendship he provided Peggy. Joe’s assistance and frequent companionship allowed Peggy to live a long and comfortable life in the home she loved.

The family thanks the staff at Amedysis Hospice for their loving care and dedication during Peggy’s final months. Also, the family thanks all of Peggy’s friends, especially Carlos Boillat and his family, Lanelle Flanagan, Mary Abel, and Bonnie Benson.

A private memorial will be held at a later date. In recognition of Peggy’s passion for reading, a donation to littlefreelibrary.org in her name is appreciated.