PEGGY KENNEDY BENSON
May 18, 1945-April 9, 2012
BLYTHEWOOD, S.C. -- Peggy Kennedy Benson, 66, Blythewood, died April 9, 2012, after a courageous fight against cancer.
Born May 18, 1945, in Duplin County, she was the daughter of the late Jesse Eugene Kennedy and Mildred Lewis Kennedy.
Peggy grew up on the family farm in eastern North Carolina, and attended East Carolina University.
After working in North Carolina, she came to Columbia, S.C., and worked for the former PMSC in Blythewood before beginning her own consulting business, which held various contracts with the state of South Carolina, as well as Blue Cross/Blue Shield.
In 1993, she moved to San Diego, Calif., where she met her current husband. They moved to Portsmouth, Va., before returning to the Columbia area.
Peggy was a member of Trinity United Methodist Church, and active in the youth programs and many activities, and rejoined Trinity upon her return to Columbia, where she sang in the choir and served on various committees.
Peggy was also very active in South Carolina politics, working on the campaigns of the late Gov. Carroll Campbell, U.S. Rep. Joe Wilson and the late U.S. Rep. Floyd Spence.
Peggy always had a friendly smile for all those she met and energy for her activities. She enjoyed family, reading, traveling and watching the birds and butterflies in her yard.
Survivors include her husband of 17 years, retired Army Col. Warren D. Benson; her daughter, Kelly Jones Reyes of Blythewood; his children, Dr. Warren D. Benson and wife, Cara, of Chantilly, Va., and Lynda M. Hattman and husband, Pat, of Irmo; seven grandchildren; nieces and nephews; sisters, Mavis Turpin of Wilson and Faye Kennedy of Goldsboro; and brother, Harold Kennedy and wife, Faye, of Wilmington.
In addition to her parents, Peggy was preceded in death by her brother, Kenneth Kennedy.
The celebration of life for Mrs. Benson will be held Friday, April 13, at 11 a.m. at Trinity United Methodist Church, corner of Blythewood and Boney Roads. The Rev. Dr. Cathy Jamieson-Ogg and the Rev. Scott Bratton will officiate. Burial will follow in the church cemetery, and then the family will gather at the church.
The family will receive friends at the church Thursday evening from 6 to 8 p.m.
Expressions of love and faith can be made to Trinity United Methodist Church Music Fund or Building Fund, P.O. Box 864, Blythewood, S.C., 29016.
Shives Funeral Home is assisting the family, 803-754-6290.
(Pd)
Published in Obituaries on April 11, 2012 1:50 PM