Peggy Perry Denny

Peggy P. Denny was born on August 14, 1936, to Roscoe and Ruth Leeke Perry in Louin, MS. She peacefully entered her heavenly home on July 31, 2025, two weeks shy of her 89th birthday. Peggy was the second child in the family, after sister Glenda, followed by sister Mary Jo, and brother Allen. She attended elementary and high school in Louin, MS. Upon graduation from high school in 1958, she attended Millsaps College, where she received a bachelor’s degree in education. At Millsaps she was a member of Phi Mu Sorority, a Campus Favorite and a Campus Beauty. Upon graduation from Millsaps, she became a fourth-grade teacher at Spann Elementary School in Jackson, where she was much loved by her students, many of whom revered her throughout her lifetime.

In 1960 she met Walter McKennon Denny, Jr., the son of Walter and Evelyn Lane Cox Denny. Walter was just starting his own CPA firm in Jackson. They married on December 15, 1962, at the First Methodist Church of Louin and Peggy subsequently retired to raise their children. Peggy was the grandest of mothers and an exceptional cook. It could be said that it wasn’t the children’s personalities, but Peggy’s desserts, that yielded a house-full of friends.

The family attended First Presbyterian Church of Jackson, then became founding members of Pear Orchard Presbyterian Church, Ridgeland. At Pear Orchard, for many years Peggy taught children’s Sunday School, and oversaw the preparation for Communion Services.

The family lived in Natchez Trace Village for 40 years before Walter and Peggy decided to build a new home for themselves on Walter’s horse “ranch” on Cedar Hill Road in Madison. The entire family, especially the grandchildren, spent many wonderful days enjoying their times there, roaming the property, playing hide-and-seek, camping out, building forts and riding four-wheelers.

Walter and Peggy loved to spend their vacation times in the American West. Their favorite was Durango, Colorado, where they went for 30 consecutive years. Though not an expert horsewoman, Peggy loved to ride the mountain trails with Walter. She would prepare wonderful lunches, which were enjoyed near mountain streams or overlooks. She also looked forward to all sorts of side-trips from Durango to other western places.

Later in her life, Peggy was diagnosed with dementia. We are grateful to the Lord that she remained a happy and kind, albeit feisty, person during her last days. She was blessed to have Mrs. Fannie White, who lovingly cared for her every day until Walter returned from work. We are indebted to Mr. Robert Hutton, caretaker of the property, for his careful attention to Peggy during her illness. The family is also thankful for all the staff members at St. Catherines Village, who took such good care of her the past 2 years, as well as all her personal sitters: Lillie Evans and the many wonderful ladies that worked for Nikki Lewis.

Peggy is preceded in death by her husband, her father, mother and her two sisters. She is survived by her son Walter M. Denny, III (Jennifer); daughter Ruth Lane Denny Berry (Walter); son Michael Perry Denny (Betsy); grandchildren Walter M. Denny, IV, Jack Wright Denny, Lane Margaret Berry, Walter Edward Berry, Jr., Evelyn Rose Berry, Miles Austin Perry Denny, Payton Reat Denny; and her brother, Allen Perry (Jane).

Funeral services will be held at Pear Orchard Presbyterian Church of Ridgeland, MS at 11am on August 16, 2025, with visitation at the Church sanctuary beginning at 9:30am. Pallbearers will be Peggy’s five grandsons and Robert Hutton. Peggy will be laid to rest at Parkway Cemetery on Highland Colony Blvd, Ridgeland, MS, immediately following the service.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to Pear Orchard Presbyterian Church, 750 S Pear Orchard Road, Ridgeland, MS 39157 or St. Catherine’s Village Employee Christmas Fund, 200 Dominican Drive, Madison, MS 39110