Anne Elizabeth Stevenson Peden

Anne was born in Norfolk, Va. on August 21, 1945, to the late Frank Burton Stevenson and Ruth Hollowell Stevenson. She was the oldest of three children. She was a graduate of Lower Merion High School in Ardmore, Pennsylvania. She attended Greensboro College. She then moved to Raleigh and went to work at First Union National Bank. While in Raleigh, she met the love of her life, Jim Peden, Jr. in 1967. They soon married later that year. Raleigh, NC was home where they raised three children, James, Steven, and Holly and where she was an active volunteer in the community.

Anne was active for years in the Junior League of Raleigh and served on the Executive Committee. The following are past boards and committees she served; Raleigh Fine Arts Society, NC Awards Committee, Executive Mansion Fine Arts Committee, Celebration North Carolina, Ravenscroft Parents Council, President, Seaboard Citizens Committee, Roanoke Island Historical Association, North Carolina Arts Council, N.C. Museum of History Association, Treasurer of the Household Assistance, Inc. Board, Committee Head for the Patron’s membership of the Raleigh Children’s Theatre, Edenton Street Child Development Center, Secretary of her church circle, Haven House, N.C. Bi-Centennial Foundation, Theatre in the Park Advisory Committee, Docent at NC Museum of Art, Executive Mansion, Governor Martin Transition Team, Department of Cultural Resources, 1984, Wake County Manager, Martin for Governor, 1988 and Inaugural Committee, 1988. She was awarded with her husband, Jim, The Order of the Long Leaf Pine Society in 1992. Despite her many accomplishments, she preferred to stay out of the limelight.

Anne’s biggest commitment was to her family and friends. She was a steadfast devoted wife, mother, aunt, grandmother, and friend whose radiant love, self-sacrifice and caring for others are lasting. She loved going with Jim and her three children to Naples, Fl to visit her parents and family. She enjoyed traveling and took some incredible family trips which her children carry those memories with them and pass along to their children.

Anne loved Figure Eight Island and later Atlantic Beach. She had great joy having her children and grandchildren at the beach with her and Jim where they enjoyed shelling, boating, and spending time with family. She and Jim had a great joy in dogs they had over the years, and she holds a special place for Pooh Bear.

She took great joy in hosting family and social gatherings and was happiest in the kitchen, sitting at the table for fellowship and making sure everyone was having a great time. She had a deep appreciation and love for art. She served as a member and Chair of the Friends of Arts NC State Board and served on the Gregg Museum of Art & Design Campaign Committee.

She is survived by her husband Jim Peden, Jr.; a son, James Murchison Peden III and wife Stacy Fegebank Peden of Raleigh; a son, Stevenson Browne Peden and wife Paige Coffin Peden of Raleigh; a daughter, Anne Hollowell Peden Warner and husband Jason Grant Warner of Raleigh. “MeMe,” as she was affectionately called, also leaves behind eight grandchildren, Jamie, Lily, Tanner, and Connor Peden of Raleigh: and Lila and Eva Peden of Raleigh; and Ruth Anne and Victoria Warner or Raleigh. Anne is also survived by a brother and sister-in-law, Steve and Lisa Stevenson of Asheville, NC and brother, Bruce Stevenson of Edgewater, FL.; and three nieces and nephews, whom she loved.

The family would like to express their deepest gratitude to Heartland Hospice of Raleigh and Morningside of Raleigh and in particular Head nurse Lynn and nurse Bridgette for the compassionate care they provided Anne these last six weeks.

A memorial service will be held on Tuesday, July 26th at 2:00 pm at Edenton Street United Methodist Church. The family will be receiving friends in the Garden Gallery area at Edenton Street United Methodist Church immediately following the memorial service.

Memorials may be made on behalf of Anne Stevenson Peden to Edenton Street United Methodist Church, 228 W. Edenton St. Raleigh, NC 27603 or to the Dementia Alliance of NC, 9131 Anson Way, Suite 206 Raleigh, NC 27615.

Services provided by Brown-Wynne Funeral Home, Saint Mary’s St. Raleigh, NC.