Margaret (Peggy) Keith Barnett

Margaret (Peggy) Keith Barnett, 93, of Athens, Georgia, died on April 23, 2025.

Peggy grew up in Amsterdam, Virginia, born there in 1931 to Leslie Clinton and Anne Brady Keith. She graduated from Fincastle High School, Averett College in Danville, Virginia, and the University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill. In 1955, Peggy married Paul Guerry Barnett, Jr. in Botetourt, Virginia.

She was a life-long teacher, starting with teaching high-school English in Martinsville, Virginia, before having children. After her children were in school, she earned a masters degree in reading education from the University of Delaware, then taught middle-school reading at Tower Hill School in Wilmington, Delaware, followed by high-school English at Washington-Wilkes Comprehensive High School in Washington, Georgia. She lived in Wilkes County, Georgia, for 42 years before moving to Athens.

Peggy was preceded in death by her parents, husband, and sisters Kitty Horsley and Betsy McMurry. Survivors include her children, Chip Barnett (Neema Tamang), Anne Gregory (Dave), and Keith Barnett (Carlyn Morenus); grandchildren Elizabeth Dickerson (Colin), Will Craven (Beth), and Norbu Barnett; great grandchildren Hunter Craven, and Owen and Aiden Dickerson, as well as nieces, nephews, and their children.

A memorial service will be held in the Chapel at Presbyterian Village Athens at 3:00 pm on May 2, followed by a light reception. Burial will be at Rest Haven cemetery in Washington, Georgia.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Presbyterian Village Athens Chapel, Friendship Presbyterian Church, Athens, GA or your local library.

Lord and Stephens Funeral Home, WEST, is in charge of arrangements.