Margaret Alexander Branch "Peggy" Britton

Margaret Alexander Branch Britton, known to her family and friends as "Peggy", died peacefully at Brighton Gardens in Raleigh on March 23, 2009. She was 101.
Peggy was born at home on December 28, 1907 in Newport News, VA. She was the daughter of Alexander Newsome Branch and Hutoka West Branch.
She is preceded in death by husband, R. Howard "Britt" Britton and a son, James Branch Britton who died in infancy, her four sisters, Virginia B. Bridges, Alma B. Patrick, Katherine B. Duffer, and Anna B. Gracey, and her brother, Alexander Newsome "Buddy" Branch, Jr. She is survived by daughters, Mary Britton Summey and her husband, Sam Summey of Chocowinity, and Margaret Dodd Britton of Seattle, WA; her three grandchildren, James Larry Carter, Jr. and his wife, Anne Keleher Carter of Charlotte, Emma Britton Carter of Raleigh, and Britton Wade Carter and his wife, Patricia McCarty Carter of Raleigh; her five great-grandchildren, Mary Anne Carter, James Michael Carter, Perry West Carter, Britton Wills Carter, and Quinn McCarty Carter.
In 1929, Peggy graduated from the University of Mary Washington in Fredericksburg, VA, with a teaching degree, and began her teaching career in Arlington, VA. Her college education was made possible by a gift from a close family friend. While at Mary Washington she played many sports and was elected president of her class in both her junior and senior years. Early in her teaching career she met and married Howard, and they moved to his home in Marion, VA. Soon thereafter, Howard's job with Occidental Life Insurance Company brought the family to Raleigh and to their home on Nottingham Road. Peggy resided there for 61 years. During their marriage Howard and Peggy traveled extensively throughout the US and abroad.
As a charter member of Ridge Road Baptist Church, Peggy was an active church leader over five decades. She worked to support many church activities, including organizing the Wednesday night suppers, managing the "bed baby" nursery, leading the Women's Missionary Union, and serving on the pulpit committee on behalf of the entire congregation. She also volunteered many years at some of Ridge Road's related ministries, including the Urban Ministry and Meals-on-Wheels. And while her daughters were young she was very involved in their school activities, and served as a senior volunteer into her later years.
Throughout her long and full life, she kept herself young through regular exercise, healthy eating, and her many close friendships with people of all ages. Peggy's experiences through the Great Depression made her an original and creative recycler. She was an avid reader and long- time member of the Entre Nous Book Club, an avid bridge player (duplicate bridge was her favorite) who liked to play with good players, and a keen sports fan of ACC and NCAA basketball and baseball.
Per her wishes, Peggy's body was donated to Duke University's Anatomical Gifts Program.
A family visitation will be held 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. Thursday evening, March 26th at Ridge Road Baptist Church, 2011 Ridge Road, Raleigh, NC. The memorial service will be held 2:00 p.m. Friday, March 27th at Ridge Road Baptist Church.
In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to Ridge Road Baptist Church or to Hospice of Wake County.
Condolences may be sent to Brighton Gardens, 3101 Duraleigh Rd, #318, Raleigh, N.C. 27612.