Greeta Peden Pendleton, SC Greeta Yvonne Granger Peden, longtime resident of Pendleton, South Carolina, died in Houston, Texas on April 9, 2015. Greeta was a devoted and loving mother, sister, grandmother, wife, and friend. She brightened the lives of her family and friends with laughter and joy; we cherish her memory. Born in West Point, Mississippi on August 24, 1940, Greeta grew up in Kankakee, Illinois and graduated from St. Patrick Central High School in 1958. She met her husband Ken while he was serving at Chanute Air Force base in Illinois, married on March 7, 1959, and followed him to his home state of South Carolina after his service ended. Greeta wanted to become a teacher, and with the encouragement of her husband, also an educator, she started college classes while her children were young. She earned an AA from North Greenville Junior College in 1966 after 4 years of part-time study, a BA from Furman University in 1968, and a MA in 1979 from Clemson University. She taught at Mountain View Elementary in Greenville County and at New Prospect Elementary and Lakeside Middle School in Anderson County before retiring in 1996. Greeta was a charter member of the Clemson University Chapter of Phi Delta Kappa, an honor society for educators, and received their 1980 Distinguished Service Award for Elementary and Secondary Schools. She was Teacher of the Year in 1981 at New Prospect. After retirement, she volunteered with the SC court system as an ad Litem for abused or neglected children. Greeta was known for her big laugh. She especially enjoyed teaching sixth graders because of their offbeat sense of humor. She loved listening to music, attending musicals, and traveling to new places. An avid reader, she was a member of three book clubs and liked word puzzles. She watched the game show Jeopardy as often as possible, and would discuss the "final Jeopardy" answer with her sister every day by telephone. After her husband Ken died, Greeta decided to learn how to quilt. Each quilt was an opportunity to learn a new technique or pattern, but more importantly, Greeta relished the deep friendships she made with her fellow quilters. She made a quilt for every family member, and she also donated quilts for veterans and others. Greeta and Ken were both generous supporters of education and community. She was preceded in death by her parents, Helen Louise Clark Granger and Charles Edward Granger, and by her beloved husband Ralph Kenneth (Ken) Peden. Greeta is survived by her sister Paula Granger Jackson of Cleveland, Georgia with husband John and their sons Lee, Michael, and Brian (wife Erin and children Chesley and Adelaide) Jackson; daughter Cindy Peden Chapman with husband Walter and their sons John and James (Jim) Chapman of Houston, Texas; and son David Peden with wife Susan Bernard of Allen, Texas. Visitation with the family will start at 2 PM on Saturday April 18, 2015, followed by a funeral service at 3:30 PM at McDougald Funeral Home, 2211 N. Main Street, Anderson, SC. Interment will follow at Pendleton United Methodist Church in Pendleton, SC. The family suggests that memorials be made to, Ken and Greeta Peden Excellence in Middle Grade Education Scholarship, Emmanuel College, PO Box 129, Franklin Springs, GA 30639, or to the Ken Peden Phi Delta Kappa Memorial Quasi-Endowment, in memory of Greeta Peden, Clemson University Foundation, PO Box 1889, Clemson, SC 29633. Events Visitation Saturday, April 18, 2015 2:00PM - 3:00PM The McDougald Funeral Home 2211 North Main Street Anderson, SC 29621 Email: Gail@mcdougaldfuneralhome.com,laurel@mcdougaldfuneralhome.com Phone: (864) 224-4343 Funeral Service Saturday, April 18, 2015 3:30PM The McDougald Funeral Home 2211 North Main Street Anderson, SC 29621 Email: Gail@mcdougaldfuneralhome.com,laurel@mcdougaldfuneralhome.com Phone: (864) 224-4343 Final Resting Place Pendleton United Methodist Church Pendleton, SC, 29670 ,