Peggy Lester McEwen

Peggy Lester McEwen, age 95, of Columbiana, Alabama, passed away peacefully at home surrounded by her children on Saturday, December 9, 2023, only three days before her 96th birthday. She was born December 12, 1927, as the oldest daughter of Roland Milton and Mattie Berniece Hartsfield Lester. On January 25, 1948, Peggy married her high school sweetheart, Ralph William McEwen, and they built a life together while raising a family. In their later years after the children were on their own, they enjoyed traveling with family and friends to interesting places across the country, including many trips to Auburn football games with the Auburn Motor Home Club. Peggy loved her family and her church family and was grounded in her faith in Jesus Christ. She was a lifelong member of Lesters Chapel United Methodist Church where she served in various ways including Sunday School teacher and was the faithful volunteer treasurer for many years. Her family was always her main focus either by entertaining with wonderful meals, solving the world’s problems on the porch swing, attending as many of her grandchildren’s activities that she could or by just being present and available with sound advice and wisdom. She loved her roles as Mimi to her grandchildren and as GMimi to her great-grandchildren. In addition to her parents, she is preceded in death by her beloved husband of 62 years, Ralph, her sisters, Joanne Lester Garrett and Elnora Lester Denney, and her son-in-law, Keith Purdy. She is survived by her son, Frank Lester McEwen (Helen); two daughters, Susan McEwen McIntosh (John) and Ann McEwen Purdy; four grandchildren, Leigh McIntosh Addington (David), John Thomas McIntosh (Katy), Frank Lester McEwen, Jr. (Madelyn) and Luke Alexander McEwen (Erin); and four great-grandchildren, Katherine Ann Addington, William David Addington, Benjamin Thomas McIntosh and Graham Allen McIntosh. The family would like to express its deepest gratitude to Margie Williams, Louise Merritte, Patricia Myles and Lorene McGhee for their excellent care, love and kindness. A visitation and celebration of her life will be held at Lesters Chapel United Methodist Church on December 16, 2023. Visitation will be at 10:00 a.m. with the service following at 11:00. In lieu of flowers, the family kindly asks donations to be made to Lesters Chapel United Methodist Church (7800 Chelsea Road, Columbiana, AL 35051) or to Onward Campus Ministry (P.O. Box 3892, Auburn, AL 36831).

Peggy Lester McEwen

December 12, 1927 - December 9, 2023