Margaret Leiby Perkins

COLUMBIA Margaret Leiby Perkins, 67, died peacefully on Tuesday, November 11, 2014. Margaret was born on December 31, 1946, in Worcester, Massachusetts to Kenneth Llewellyn and Rebecca Henry Leiby. She graduated from Hollins College and received a Masters in Linguistics from the University of South Carolina (USC). Professionally, she inspired USC students through her work as a teacher in the English Program for Internationals, and advisor in the Office of Fellowships and Scholars Programs and a co-principal at Preston Residential College. Her reach extended internationally as she worked in the Sudan, the United Arab Emirates and in Morocco on a Fulbright faculty fellowship. Her broad community involvement ranged from volunteering with City Year, at the Harvest Hope Food Bank and Community Garden, participating in the Still Hopes triathalon team and singing in the USC gospel choir. In all she did, she exuded a passion for helping others, caring for the environment and wanting to make the world a better place. Margaret is survived by her husband, Ken; daughters, Amanda (Chris) and M.E. (Coy); grandchildren, Rebecca and Durham and Margaret (expected in March); brother, Ken; sister-in-law, Linda; niece, Katie; and nephew, Jake. A celebration and remembrance of her life will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Monday, November 17, 2014, at Rutledge Chapel, followed by a reception at the home of Plum and Rusty Hammond, 1503 Wyndham Drive. Dunbar Funeral Home, Devine Street Chapel, is assisting the family. In lieu of flowers, please make memorials to Harvest Hope Food Bank, P.O. Box 451, Columbia, SC 29202 or to a charity that is important to you.