Peggy Ann South Mann

“Anything is possible.” That is what Peggy Ann Mann believed about life. She was a creative woman, a perpetual inventor, who seemed to be able to find a solution for any difficulty confronting her. She had faith in her ability to find those solutions. Peggy thoroughly enjoyed understanding how things worked. She possessed an inquisitive, confident, and rational nature matched with a versatile and agile mind. Peggy was a person who believed that she could achieve whatever she set out to do.

      Peggy was born on June 12, 1946 at Booneville Hospital in Booneville, Mississippi. Her parents were Luther and Ruth Beatrice South. Peggy was raised in the Burton Community. She showed her ingenuity even as a child. When she was confronted with a problem, Peggy could develop an imaginative solution, and she derived satisfaction from knowing she had that ability.

      This same talent for finding solutions had a positive bearing on Peggy's family relationships. Peggy was raised with four brothers. She had four older brothers, William "Goose", James Bendall "Jiggs", Luther Armon "Dick", and Orville Truman "Mickey". When a difficult situation or dilemma arose within the family, Peggy was always there to help figure out a solution for making things work.

      As a young girl, Peggy could be found building and inventing new and different things. She was curious, resourceful and interested in anything original. She was a member of 4-H and choir. In her spare time she liked photography and spending time with her brothers.

      Endowed with an appetite for knowing how her world worked, Peggy enjoyed school, especially when the learning experience involved dissecting and probing the unknown. Peggy was adept at scrutinizing different possibilities and designing innovative solutions. She attended Burton High School and graduated from New Site High School in 1964. She enjoyed some courses more than others, having favorite classes and teachers. Her favorite class in high school was English Literature and College Psychology. She placed first place in typing and home economics.

      Because she was a quick thinker and adept at picking up on new things, Peggy performed well in college. She was always on a quest for knowledge and she relished the experience. Theories intrigued her, and she was good at solving complex problems. She always wanted to understand rather than judge. Her favorite courses were psychology and Sociology. She maintained a 4.0 average, always on the President's/Dean's List.

      Peggy was socially resourceful, an expressive person who was willing to try new things. These qualities drew a lively circle of friends around her. Always interested in her friends’ activities and interests, Peggy was uncritical of her acquaintances. She was sought after by people who recognized that she was generous with her time and energy, and these same friends found Peggy to be very stimulating company. Peggy's humor and curiosity were contagious for those around her. While growing up, some of her best friends were Virginia Whitehead, Carolyn Phillips Barley, Estaleen Whitehead and Jimmie Lynn Carter. Later in life, she became friends with Linda Martin and Shirley Eaton.

      On April 17, 1962 Peggy exchanged wedding vows with Robert Wayne Mann at Florence Courthouse in Florence, Alabama. Peggy was adept at devising original and creative ways to enhance and improve the marriage partnership. Peggy was seldom a critical person, but rather the one who was able to bring out the best in others. Peggy was an entertaining conversationalist who was quick to respond to her spouse’s needs. She was a vibrant personality and she enjoyed verbally sparring with Robert. In fact, those who knew her often remarked that Peggy loved to argue for argument’s sake. She was very perceptive in recognizing others’ feelings, especially regarding Robert's.

      Peggy's remarkable talent for being inventive influenced her relationship with her children. She would create original, clever and fun games for her kids and had a knack for finding ways to make everyday events, even chores, enjoyable to them. Peggy was blessed with three children, three daughters, Merita, Brenda, and Cindy; one adopted daughter, Heather. They were also blessed with seven, Heather, Stephan, Amber, Lesleigh, Brent, Michael, and Margaret. Someone who was quick to laugh, Peggy found it easy to spend lots of time with her children, but she was never overbearing or guilty of pushing herself on them.

      As a born inventor, Peggy was definitely in her element in her work place. She could easily create new and innovative systems, and incorporate those changes to bring a fresh approach to any work situation. Peggy was a focused worker with a strong drive for achievement. She could assess all of the options before her and, using her analytical skills, could comfortably find answers that no one else had even considered. Her personal initiative inspired those around her. Peggy was always good at getting a project started and then, at the appropriate time, handing it on to a colleague. Her primary occupation was administrative secretary at Northeast MS Community College and Manager at Booneville Manor and Ripley Manor. She was employed for 19 years at Northeast MS Community College and 17 years at Booneville Hospital. Peggy always made an effort to be a team player, doing what needed was necessary in order to get the job done.

      Peggy's passion for finding a better way to do things was often an end in itself for her. In fact, that interest by itself became something of a hobby for this perpetual problem solver. Since Peggy was always searching for new and unusual activities, she developed many interests and leisure pursuits. Some of the things she became an “expert” in might come as a surprise to those who knew her, but most friends and family understood that Peggy simply couldn’t be limited to just a few activities or ideas. Her favorite pursuits were photography, scrap-booking, bunko, and her children and grandchildren.

      Peggy's talents were well suited for being actively involved in professional and community organizations, something she did throughout her life. She enjoyed being involved and was willing to jump in and help out in most any situation. Peggy could bring a breath of fresh air to any organization, simply by introducing her novel ideas and problem solving strategies. In high school, Peggy was a member of the RHD Awards/Recognition, 4-H, FHA, and FFA. In college, Peggy was a member of Who's Who American College Students. Throughout her later years, Peggy was an active member of the Secretaries' Club and Bunko.

      Faith and religion were important to Peggy. She was a member of Forked Oak Baptist Church for 49 years.

      With all of her talents, her ingenuity, her solutions and inventiveness, it is no surprise that Peggy received public recognition for her competence. With the drive and ability to meet any challenge, Peggy accumulated a long list of achievements throughout her life. Some of her most prestigious awards included Manager of the Year, Northern District for four years.

      Having the opportunity to visit and explore a new place always intrigued Peggy. Traveling and going away on vacations offered yet another opportunity for Peggy to expand her ever-growing inventory of knowledge. Favorite vacations included Nashville, TN, Branson, MO, Las Vegas, NV, and California.

      Peggy was a lover of animals and cherished her pets. One of Peggy's favorites was Fritz, a toy poodle. They were best friends for 15 years.

      Even while in retirement, Peggy never stopped exercising her inventive talents, and this new phase of her life provided new opportunities for stimulating her interests. Upon retirement from the hospital in 1979, and from Northeast in 2007, her new life involved traveling with Robert, visiting Brenda in South Carolina, and visiting Cindy in California. In retirement, she found new pleasure in card making classes, scrap-booking classes, photography classes, and playing Bunko. Even in retirement, Peggy continued to stay in touch with her old friends and while making plenty of new acquaintances. She was active in the community and felt fulfilled.

      Peggy passed away on December 26, 2009 at North MS Medical Center in Tupelo, Mississippi. Peggy fought a brave battle against leukemia and pneumonia. She is survived by her spouse Robert, and her children, Merita, Brenda and Cindy. Peggy was laid to rest in Liberty Memorial Gardens in Booneville, Mississippi.

      During her lifetime, nothing appeared impossible to Peggy. She met the words “it can’t be done” with the enthusiastic challenge of a “wanna bet” attitude. Peggy was able to recognize the possibilities a new idea held, even when those around her could not. For Peggy, the traditional way of doing things fell short of her expectations, especially if there were original and untested methods for handling a challenge. For Peggy Ann Mann, the fun of living her life could be found in the challenge.