Margaret Kathryn “Peggy” Francis, 82, passed away on August 11, 2026.

Peggy was born on April 11, 1944, in Windsor, Virginia. She attended Radford College and went on to become a teacher, a fitting profession for a woman who cared deeply for others and remained interested in the lives of the people she loved.

Over the course of her life, Peggy called many places home, including Danville and Windsor, Virginia; NagsHead and Kinston, North Carolina; Ocean City, Maryland; Winter Park, Florida; and, finally, Charleston, South Carolina. Wherever she lived, she made a life filled with family, friends, and plenty of style.

Peggy had a huge, beautiful smile, made even more memorable by her perfectly straight, white teeth. She loved to shop, but finding a great deal was half the fun. She always looked put together, with more pairs of shoes than anyone could count-and likely a good story about the bargain she found on them. Her monthly hair appointment was a standing commitment she kept right up until the end, and those closest to her would be hard-pressed to remember ever seeing her hair wet. She was kind and generous, but she also had a sassy side-and she wasn't afraid to use it. She was the kind of mother and Mimi who showed her love by showing up. There were always birthday presents. She helped care for her grandchildren while their mother worked, made delicious banana pudding, chocolate chip cookies, and her well-loved share salad, and welcomed her children's friends as if they were part of the family.

Her six grandchildren-Maggie, Chloe, Phoebe, Lulie, Sunny, and Bowie-were among the greatest joys of her life. To them, she was simply Mimi, a name that carried an enormous amount of love.

Peggy took genuine interest and pride in the lives of her children and their families. She loved hearing about Amy's work and especially enjoyed the opportunity to accompany her on work trips. She loved going to Band of Horses concerts and was always enthralled by her son Creighton's talent. She loved watching Erin create her beautiful weavings and seeing what she would make next. And she always enjoyed trying to figure out KiKi's ever-changing schedule with four girls-a challenge in itself, but one Peggy happily kept up with.

She adored her son-in-law Clint, frequently reminding KiKi, “You got a keeper, KiKi.” When it was time to say goodbye after a visit, Peggy had a familiar request: “Kiss my girls for me-and give Clint one too.” It was a simple sentence that said so much about her and the way she loved her family.

Later in life, Peggy found a wonderful companion in Larry William Francis. They married on November 16, 2013, and Peggy finally had the wedding she had always dreamed of. Their years together were filled with travel, companionship, family, and new adventures. Larry became a beloved part of Peggy's family, and the two shared a special chapter of life together. His death on July 23, 2026, just weeks before Peggy's, brought their time together to an unexpected close.

Peggy is survived by her children, Amy Barrett; KiKi Fore and her husband, Clint; and Creighton Barrett and his wife, Erin; and her beloved grandchildren, Maggie, Chloe, Phoebe, Lulie, Sunny, and Bowie.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Larry William Francis; her mother and father; and her sister-in-law and dear friend, Manara. Though they were family by marriage, Peggy and Manara shared a friendship that meant so much more, and Peggy treasured the bond they had.

Peggy leaves behind much more than the places she lived or the things she did. She leaves behind recipes that will still be made, family traditions that will continue, friends who always felt welcome, more pairs of shoes than anyone could probably count, and six grandchildren who will forever know how deeply their Mimi loved them.

Peggy will be remembered for her kindness, her style, her sass, her love for her family, and that huge, beautiful smile that could light up a room.

In her memory, continue to share that Peggy smile with others-a smile offered freely, warmly, and often. It is a simple way to carry a little bit of Peggy with us wherever we go.

Arrangements by J. Henry Stuhr, Inc., West Ashley Chapel.

_________________________________________