Peggy Dean Prest

Peggy Dean Prest, of Brandon, Mississippi, passed away peacefully on Friday morning, May 23, 2025, at the age of 85. She was born on October 13, 1939, in Roane, Arkansas, to James “Jack” Crank, a Baptist preacher, and his wife Marteel Barham Crank.

Growing up as one of seven children, Peggy moved frequently with her family before settling in Marshall, Texas. She graduated from Tatum High School in 1958.

As a young woman, she moved to Shreveport, Louisiana, and worked at the Walgreens soda fountain, where she met her future husband, Lewis Prest. They married soon after and relocated to Jackson, Mississippi, where they raised their family and spent many cherished years together.

Peggy worked in several roles throughout her life. She began in the deli at A&P, then managed Dairy Queen and later Hardee’s. After her children left home, she and Lewis moved to Madison, Mississippi, where she worked in the billing department of a medical supply company. After Lewis's passing in 1999, Peggy became the switchboard operator at CommuniGroup. Upon retiring, she volunteered at both Baptist Hospital and St. Dominic Hospital. Eight years ago, she moved to Brandon to be closer to her son and his family.

Peggy was known by all as a strong, independent, and tenacious woman. She was dramatic, quirky, brash, and outgoing—with a sharp sense of humor that was often a little off-color. She was a loyal friend to those who dared to get close and a devoted mother who was always present and engaged. She was a loving wife who kept an immaculate home and was an ever-reliable volunteer, never one to sit idle.

Her strength was forged through hardship. At age seven, she was run over and placed in a full-body cast, having to relearn how to walk. She survived against the odds and carried that resilience with her through every chapter of life.

Peggy loved to travel and explored the continental United States, as well as destinations like China, Italy, Canada, the Bahamas, the Virgin Islands, Hawaii, and Mexico. She enjoyed reading, learning new things, and was an avid bowler, participating in local leagues and senior travel groups.

She was deeply loved and admired by her family and will be sorely missed by her children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, sister, nieces, nephews, and many dear friends.

A celebration of life for Peggy will be held Saturday, May 31, 2025 at 1:00 PM in the chapel at Parkway Funeral Home, with inurnment to follow at Parkway Memorial Cemetery, 1161 Highland Colony Pkwy, Ridgeland, MS 39157.