Margaret "Peggy" Case

Peggy Case breathed her last in the early hours of Wednesday, February 18, and entered eternity with the God she served so faithfully. Undoubtedly, heaven got vacuumed, she started a quilt for Jesus, and she went for a walk. 

Margaret “Peggy” Vondelle Hearne was born on April 19, 1939, to Edna Beryl Odom and Louey Virgil Hearne, in Fayetteville, North Carolina. She married the late Clyde Case in 1961 - a marriage that lasted almost 59 years and 11 months. Clyde and Peg settled in Franklin, Pennsylvania to begin their family, which remained her focus throughout her life. 

Peggy’s employment history included several years at Anderson’s Furniture Store in Franklin, and a long stint at Sears Service Center in Fort Worth, Texas. She worked outside the home for one reason only: to give her children the education that she was denied. She was so proud to see Beth and Eric accomplish the greatest goal she had for them, a college degree. 

Caring for friends and family and service to others remained a constant in her life, through many church and community activities like Meals on Wheels and the Powhatan Food Pantry. Peggy served faithfully at Inglewood United Methodist Church in Grand Prairie, Texas; after relocating to Virginia, Peggy found a home at Powhatan United Methodist Church, where she embraced serving opportunities through her Circle Group. A talented seamstress, Peggy made hundreds of children’s dresses to support PUMC’s overseas mission work. Peggy also connected with God and others through Passion Community Church, where she often attended in person or watched online.

 Peggy was generous with her time and her skills. Her creative talent was obvious in the beautiful quilts she crafted for family, friends, and local charity fundraisers. She hemmed pants, stitched holes, and did picture-perfect alternations for so many - and refused to accept compensation.

 Her greatest legacy is her family, full of love and affection for one another. Peggy is survived by her daughter, Beth Stoddard of Powhatan, and son, Eric Case of Chicago, and their spouses - Tony and Shana, who she embraced and loved as her own. She was ‘Grandma Peggy’ to seven children and their partners: Sarah Brawley of Powhatan; Shannon Wagner (Travis) of Columbus, Ohio; Sydni Uher (Aaron) of Encinitas, California; Daniel Brawley (Caroline) of Eugene, Oregon; Emily Case of Madison, Wisconsin; David Brawley of Powhatan; and Levi Case of Chicago. Peggy had four great-grandchildren: Juniper, Margot, Shia, and Josie. 

Preceded in death by sister Joanne Collins, brothers Mickey Hearne and Billy Hearne, and brother-in-law Graham Hair, Peggy is survived by brother Richard Hearne (Alice), sister-in-law Laura Hearne, and beloved big sister and best friend, Barbara Hair, all of New Bern, North Carolina. She is also survived by many other beloved nieces and nephews on both sides of her family.

 In the last few years, dementia wreaked havoc with the detailed, organized, efficient aspects of Peggy’s character. While we lost so much of the delightful mother, grandmother, sister, and friend to this wicked disease, the final 18 months of her life offered her a chance to receive tremendous love, care, and affection from the staff at her memory care facility. She became known for heartfelt hugs, occasional out-of-character surprises, and the inability to sit still. Peggy’s family is grateful for the kindness of the staff at The Pearl at Watkins Center; may they always fondly remember her walking the halls, day and night. 

Her legacy of service, faithfulness, and steadfast loyalty to her family lives on in those who remain. 

Services for Peggy will be Saturday, February 28, 2:00 pm at Passion Community Church, 4480 Anderson Highway, Powhatan, VA, with a meal and fellowship immediately following. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests that you go for a long walk, serve others, and consider a donation to the kingdom work of PCC or PUMC; that’s what Peggy would do.