Jean Brown Peden

Jean Brown Peden, 77, beloved wife, friend,and mother, died Wednesday, July 9, 2008 in Gulfport. Mrs. Peden was born in Scott County on May 27, 1931 and attended elementary school in Morton. She began college at East Central Community College and received her BS degree and Master's Degree in education from Mississippi College. She completed work towards her PHD at the University of Southern Mississippi. Mrs. Peden began her teaching career in Jackson, MS and moved to Gulfport in 1963 at the invitation of Superintendent W. L. Rigby. She taught at West Ward Elementary School, Bayou View Junior High, and East Junior High for a total of 15 years and was principal of East Ward Elementary School for 18 years before retiring in 1988. She served as Trustee for MS Gulf Coast Community College for a total of 22 years with distinguished service on key board committees that included building, presidental search, appeals, insurance and building, and nominating. Mrs. Peden served as Chairperson, First Vice-Chairperson, and Secretary of the Board of Trustees. She resolutely and steadfastly worked for the betterment of the MS Gulf Coast Community College District and its mission and provided distinguished service and leadership. She was an active member of the Association of Community College Trustees, having served two terms on the Board of Directors of ACCT and as Southern Region ACCT Chairperson. As a director of the international association, she provided direction to the national association, which represented the governing boards of community, technical, and junior colleges in the United States. She was a former member of Gulfport Yacht Club, charter member of the Great Southern Club, and was an active member of Civic League for 20 years where she served as president, Vice-president, Tour of Homes Chairman for four years and Hospitality Chairman. Mrs. Peden was a member of Delta Kappa Gamma for 37 years of loyalty and service and served as President for several terms. She was awarded the Woman of Distinction in 1999. She was a member of Scrap Iron Sunday School Class at Gulfport First Baptist Church for many years. At the time of her death, she was a member of First Presbyterian Church of Gulfport. Upon retirement she began a second career when she opened Monograms, Etc. in Gulfport. She was actively involved in the Coast Chamber of Commerce and the Gulfport Chamber of Commerce, serving on education and membership committees through the years. She served as coordinator and volunteer for Miss Teen USA. She was honored as a volunteer for United Way of South Mississippi and served on the boards for Feed My Sheep and Goodwill of South Mississippi. Mrs. Peden was a very active volunteer for the Salvation Army and the American Heart Association and Boy Scouts of America. She also served as a board member for the Gulf Coast Society for Retarded Citizens. She wrote MEMORIES OF EAST WARD in 1997, a book about the history of Gulfport's oldest school. She is preceded in death by her husband, W.A. "Bill" Peden; two sons, Eddie Peden and Dr. Rick Peden; and a grandson, Ricky Peden. Mrs. Peden is survived by a daughter, Peggy Sprabery (Don) of Pass Christian; a son, Bobby Peden (Melissa) of Gulfport; a daughter-in-law, Alva Peden; seven grandchildren, Ashley Peden Kremer, Bill Peden, Allie Peden, Ginny Anne Sprabery, Austin Peden, Robert Peden, and Wesley Peden; and four great-grandchildren, Sophie Peden Kremer, Fisher Kremer, Summer Peden, and Keller Peden. The funeral service is Friday, July 11, 2008 at 11:00 a.m. at Trinity United Methodist Church, Gulfport where friends may visit from 10:00 until the service. Interment will follow at Floral Hills Memorial Gardens in Gulfport. The family prefers memorials to the First Presbyterian Church Music Ministry, P.O. Box 6012, Gulfport, MS 39506. Bradford-O'Keefe Funeral Home, 15th Street, Gulfport is in charge of arrangements. View and sign register book at www.bradfordokeefe.com.