Dorothy Lee Peden

Batesville, MS; Dorothy Lee Peden, 83, died peacefully on Saturday, January 15, 2011, in Batesville, MS. Visitation will be held in the sanctuary of the Batesville First United Methodist Church from 1-2 p.m. on Wednesday, January 19, 2011 with the funeral service immediately following. Interment will take place at a later time. Dorothy was born in Eastbourne, England, on June 26, 1927 to Leonard and Grace Lee and was educated in England. During World War II, she went to work for the U.S. Government in London, where she met her future husband, Cooper Peden of Belen, MS. They were married in London in 1945. In 1946, she joined her husband in Belen and was a resident of Quitman County for the next 60 years. "Dot" was a devout church member, avid golfer, gardener, bridge and Mah Jongg player, but her true love was being a wife, mother and homemaker. After moving to Batesville in 2007, she was limited in mobility, but not in spirit. She was a friend to many, young and old alike, teaching knitting and participating in game days at the Batesville First United Methodist Church. Dorothy was preceded in death by her husband, Cooper, and two sons, Michael and Perry. She is survived by her daughters, Beverley Neale (Charles) of Memphis, TN, and Mary Fuquay (Walter) of Oakland, MS; four grandchildren, Patricia Southcomb, Paul Brasher, Jr., Cory Peden and Alex Neale; seven great grandchildren; and one great-great grandson. The family requests memorials be made to the Smile Train, P.O. Box 96231, Washington, D.C. 20090-6231.