My Name is Pauline Barnes and I am one of the founding members of the Greater East Texas Black Nurses Association.

One of the first scholarship's of the Greater East Texas Nurses Association for nursing students was funded by the Peevy family in memory of my mother Fannie and brother Melvin Peevy. The support given to me as I pursued a nursing career prompted me to continue the legacy of helping others who inspire to be a nurse and with the endorsement of my siblings this scholarship was established.

Mrs. Fannie Lee Peevy and Melvin Peevy were the patriarchs of the Peevy family. With the spiritually, mentally, financially dedication of my mother and brother enabled me to become a nurse. It is only befitting that the Peevy family establish a scholarship in Fannie and Melvin Peevy's Honor named the “FanMel Scholarship."

My mother's favorite song was “Walk with Me Lord, Walk with Me” and favorite scripture was, “Plead my cause, O Lord, with them that strive with me; fight against them that fight against me. Take hold of shield and buckler, and stand up for mine help. Draw out also the spear, and stop the way against them that persecute me’ say unto my soul, I am thy salvation. Let them be confounded and put to shame that seek after my soul. Let them be turned back and brought to confusion that devise my hurt. Psalm 35: 1-4

As the reigning patriarch of a clan that has spanned five generations. For decades she planned for the church, family reunions, bailed grandchildren and others out of financial circumstances, and offered counsel on everything from mending marriages to disciplining children, to buying a first home.

We the Peevy family will always remember Momma saying, “LOVE GOD FIRST”, ‘DO UNTO OTHERS AS YOU WOULD HAVE OTHERS DO UNTO YOU’, Last work hard and be honest. Fannie Peevy spoke these words which was a reflection in her every day life as well as demanded we do the same. Because of Momma we have a solid foundation rooted in Jesus Christ. If she could speak now as she has done so many times before she would simply say, ‘LOVE GOD FIRST AND TRAIN YOUR CHILDREN TO DO THE SAME.

Mrs. Fannie Lee Peevy
September 12, 1913 -April 15, 2001.
Children: Dorothy Maxie, Lizzie Carlton, Odessa Timms, Pauline Barnes, and James Peevy
Deceased: Melvin Peevy, Margie Grismore and Jimmy Peevy