MARY ANN PEDEN

Services for Mary Ann Peden will be held at 4:00 p.m. on Saturday, March 24, 2018, at Pruitt Baptist Church with Randy Carter officiating, and Mark Carter and Bro. Mike Calhoun assisting. A graveside service will follow at Haven of Memories Cemetery in Canton. Visitation will be held from 6:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. on Friday evening at Hilliard Funeral Home. Pallbearers will be Mark Carter, Scott Carter, Cody Campbell, Josh Campbell, Andrew Siemens, Jackson Reed and Drew West.

Mary Ann Hightower Peden was born April 26, 1938, in Edom, Texas, and graduated from Van High School in 1956. After living various places due to work locations, she and husband, Johnny moved back to Van in 1969. She worked at First State Bank for many years and was dedicated to her community. She served as Worthy Matron of Van Eastern Star and was a member of Pruitt Baptist Church, where she served as treasurer for 40 years. She also served as president of Van Kiwanis Club, was a member of Van Chamber of Commerce, and sat on the board of Van Economic Development Committee for several years. She served on the CASA board and helped with Santa’s Kids for CPS. Volunteering regularly for Van ISD, Mary Ann helped with Mother’s Helpers, Drug Free Youth in Texas, the Auditorium Restoration Committee and the Pride Program. She was a founding director and the first president of Van ISD Foundation, where she currently served as director emeritus. She was a former president of the PTA and served as president of the Vandal Band Parents for a number of years. She also worked as an election judge for Pct. 1 and was named Citizen of the Year in 1973 and 1999. She was a “Life Master” Bridge player with Van Zandt Co. DBC in Canton. Truly, Mary Ann’s mark on the Van community is immeasurable.

Mrs. Peden passed away at the age of 79 on March 21, 2018. She was preceded in death by her son, Scott Peden; parents, Paul Vinson Hightower & Geneva Cox Hightower; and brother, Gene Hightower.

Survivors include her husband of 62 years, Johnny Peden of Van; four children and their spouses, Debbie & Randy Carter, Kim & Jed Campbell, Andy & Christi Peden, and Angie & Kevin Reed, all of Van; thirteen grandchildren and their spouses, Mark & Sheila Carter, Christen Carter, Scott & Emily Carter, Cody & Karen Campbell, Josh Campbell, Hillary Shockley, Hannah & Andrew Siemens, Holley Peden, Hope Peden, Hallye Peden, Jackson Reed, Sadie Reed and Annabelle Reed; and five great-grandchildren, Eli Carter, Josiah Carter, Jones Campbell, Jack Campbell and Carter Siemens.

Special thanks to friend and caregiver, Leta Short, for a the loving care of Mrs. Mary.

If desired, memorials may be made to Van Education Foundation, P O Box 697, Van, Texas 75790.

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