Peggy Pennel McCord died peacefully at home, surrounded by her family, on December 27 at age 89. She taught piano privately for many years, and was organist at First Baptist Church in Booneville, retiring in 2016. Previously she served as organist for First Presbyterian Church in Corinth and First Methodist Church in Booneville. She began her career teaching at Hinds Junior College and, later, Northeast Mississippi Junior College.
Born in Memphis, TN, on January 8, 1932, to John Ing Pennel and Ruby Graham Pennel, Peggy grew up in Covington, TN, and spent her last two years of high school in Watertown, SD, graduating in 1949.
She earned her Bachelor’s of Music in 1953 from Lindenwood College (now University) in St. Charles, MO, and her Master’s at Florida State University. She attended the American Conservatory in Fontainebleau, France, where she studied with Nadia Boulanger.
Peggy was leader of Girl Scout Troop 56 for many years. She also served as Cub Scout den mother. She was president of the Corinth Music Club for two terms, and played in many productions by Corinth Theatre-Arts.
She is predeceased by her husband, William Albert McCord. She is survived by her children, Ann of Swarthmore, PA; Bill of Corinth, MS; John (Amber) of Huntsville, AL; and Alex of Jackson, MS; and her granddaughters Isabel and Maxine.
Peggy’s family thanks caregiver Mickey Scott for her devoted service during the past year.
Visitation is scheduled at 10 am on Thursday, December 30, with services at 11 am at New Hope Presbyterian Church with burial at 1 pm at the Corinth National Cemetery. Pallbearers will be her children.
In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorial donations to New Hope Presbyterian Church Cemetery Fund, 499 CR 513, Rienzi, MS 38865, or the Corinth Music Club.
Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.mcpetersfuneraldirectors.com for the McCord family.
