Peggy Harper Killian

Peggy Harper Killian of St. Simons Island, Georgia, died Monday, February 10, 2014. Peggy was born on September 8, 1923, in Stillmore, Georgia, to Robert W. and Edith C. Harper. While an infant, she moved with her family to Brunswick, Georgia, where she attended local schools. She graduated from Glynn Academy in 1941 and from Georgia State College for Women (now Georgia College) in 1944 with a major degree in home economics and a minor in chemistry. Immediately following graduation, she taught at Darien High School.

In January, 1945, she married William Russell Killian. She worked for Georgia Power Company as their home economist from June, 1945, until her first child was born in 1948. While with Georgia Power, she was stationed in the Brunswick office and provided home economics services in Glynn, McIntosh and Camden Counties. She also enjoyed a teaching career at Glynn Academy and Jane Macon Junior High School.

Peggy was a member of the Pirates of the Spanish Main and later was its sponsor for two years. She was a member of the Brunswick Jaycettes, the Junior Women’s Club, the Brunswick Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution, the Windsor Park Garden Club and the Hamilton Plantation Garden Club. She also enjoyed playing bridge, belonging to several bridge clubs. While her children were of scouting age, she served as Scout Leader for the Cubs Scouts and the Brownies.

Peggy was a member of the First Presbyterian Church of Brunswick beginning with cradle roll and continuing actively through her school years and into her adulthood. She taught Sunday School and was a member of the Women of the Church. After moving to St. Simons in 1990, she and her husband transferred their membership to St. Simons Presbyterian Church.

Peggy was preceded in death by her husband of sixty-five years, William Russell Killian, her son, William Russell Killian, Jr., and her sister, JoBert Harper O’Quinn. She is survived by her son, Robert P. Killian and wife, Lynne, of St. Simons Island; her daughter, Marie Killian Franklin and husband, Donald, of Gainesville, Georgia; her daughter-in-law, Frances Killian, of Brunswick; and her grandchildren, Paul Hudson Killian, of Sitka, Alaska; Bonnie Killian Turner and husband, John, of St. Simons Island; Ryan Killian Franklin and wife, Peri, of Gainesville; and Alana Marie Franklin, of Athens, Georgia. She is also survived by her sister, Laraine Harper Sikes of Memphis, Tennessee.

A graveside service will be held on Saturday, February 15, at 11:00 a.m. at Palmetto Cemetery in Brunswick. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to St. Simons Presbyterian Church, 205 Kings Way, St. Simons Island, Georgia, 31522.