Peggy Joyce McDaniel La Grone, age 73, died peacefully in her sleep on the morning of Sunday, Nov. 10, 2013, after a lengthy illness.

Known by family and friends alike as “Diggy”—a name given by her eldest grandchild—Mrs. La Grone lived a full life rich with family love and service to God and community. She never met a stranger, though she traveled the world following her upbringing in Panola County, Texas.

She was born Dec. 3, 1939, to Herman Victor McDaniel and Ethel Gertrude Hightower McDaniel at Antioch community, in the deep piney woods of East Texas. Her life’s joy was family and friends, most especially her children and grandchildren. Mrs. La Grone taught high school English early in her career and continued to be a part-time educator during her homemaking years, raising three children and working as a tireless volunteer. In later years, Mrs. La Grone was her mother’s and her grandchildren’s caregiver.

She was a faithful member of the United Methodist Church and served as president of the United Methodist Women and was deeply involved with peace works and social justice through Church Women United. Throughout her life, she taught Sunday School and led vacation Bible schools. [Read more…]