LANCASTER, SC ~ Mrs. Margaret Howell Heath "Peggy", age 97, passed away Monday, July 22, 2019.  She was born October 27, 1921 in Lancaster, SC, a daughter of the late William Ford Howell, Sr. and Elfreida Poag Howell and was the wife of the late Walter Levi Heath. Mrs. Heath graduated from Lancaster High School in 1938.  She received her BA degree and MAT degree from Winthrop University with additional study at University of Chicago.  While at Winthrop, she served on the staff of the Johnsonian, president of the Senate, member of Senior Order, and member of Curry Literary Society.  Mrs. Heath was President of the Winthrop Alumni Association.  Mrs. Heath worked for the Bureau of Teaching Materials, State Department of Education in Richmond, VA.  She was an English teacher and librarian at Pickens High School in Pickens, SC and taught elementary and junior high in the Lancaster Public Schools.  Also, while in Lancaster, she served as Director of Instruction for the City and County Schools, and Director of Adult Education.  She retired from the Lancaster County School System in 1984.  Mrs. Heath served on several local civic boards to include: The Springs Memorial Board of Directors, The Lancaster County Library Board and the First United Methodist Church Administrative Board.  Mrs. Heath served her country in the United States Navy.  She enlisted as an apprentice seaman, discharged as Yeoman, First Class.  Mrs. Heath reported for duty June 1943, Hunter College (in the Bronx) New York City for "boot camp".  Later assigned to Training school, Cedar Falls, Iowa, before final assignment to 12 ^th Naval District, Training Aids Library, San Francisco Memorable experiences.

While home on leave in April the year that FDR died in Warm Springs, GA., Mrs. Heath had to return to the San Francisco duty station.  As she boarded the train in Charlotte, NC for the trip, the passengers were told that the train would stop on another track for a short time.  This was to allow the train carrying the President's body to pass by.  Passengers on the train were able to go to the windows and watch in silence as the black-draped car passed by.

Mrs. Heath is survived by her son, William Michael Heath (Janie); two daughters, Grace Heath Baker (Ken) and Ginny Heath Davis (Steve); seven grandchildren, Laura Kirkley Bell (John), Matthew Heath (Amy), Sarah Heath Estrada (Rudy), Amy Kirkley Lineberger (Jason), Natalie Heath Hernandez (Paul), Brooke Davis Moore (Johnathan), and Tyler Heath Davis (Corie); thirteen great grandchildren, Nyla Perez, Zachary Lineberger, Braden Heath, Sydney Bell, Whitney Bell, Brennan Bell, Staten Moore, Rhodes Moore, Seay Davis, Lana Estrada, Emily Estrada, Ethan Estrada, and Malaya Hernandez; and numerous nieces and nephews.

Mrs. Heath was preceded in death by her husband of 40 years, Walter Levi Heath; her parents: a brother, William Ford Howell, Jr.; and a sister, Elfreida Howell Ghent.

The Celebration of Life Funeral Service for Mrs. Heath will be 11:00 am Thursday, July 25, 2019 at First United Methodist Church officiated by Rev. Steve Morgan, Rev. Patrick Clark and Mr. Jason Lineberger.  Burial will follow at Old Westside Cemetery.

The family will receive friends prior to the service, from 9:45 – 10:45 am in the church parlor. For those who wish, memorial contributions may be made to First United Methodist Church, Archives Room, PO Box 608, Lancaster, SC 29721, Winthrop University Foundation, 302 Tillman Hall, Rock Hill, SC 29733, or Lancaster County Library, 313 S White St., Lancaster, SC 29720.