Margaret Ann (Peggy) Benedict, a former resident of Wellston, died at the age of 102 on Saturday, Oct. 3, 2020.
Mrs. Benedict was born in Paintsville, KY on July 30, 1918 to her parents, Mr. and Mrs. John Paul Sellers, Sr. She continued spending her summers there with her grandmother, Mrs. Henry LaViers even after her family moved to Columbus, OH. She spent her early life in Columbus graduating from Upper Arlington HS and Ohio State University with a Bachelor of Science degree in Education. While attending OSU, she was a member of Kappa Alpha Theta sorority and she met her future husband, James R. Benedict. During WW II, while her husband was serving as a Second Lieutenant in the Army Corp of Engineers, she worked for Curtis Wright as a draftsman.
When the war ended, the Benedicts moved to Wellston, OH where Mr. Benedict worked for Benedict, Inc., a strip mining firm in nearby McArthur, OH. In Wellston, they raised their two daughters, were members of the Wellston Methodist Church, served on the Chamber of Commerce, participated in Rotary Club, were members and on the board of Fairgreens Country Club, and campaigned together for Mr. Benedict’s Republican nomination to run for State Senator of Ohio. Mrs. Benedict’s zest for life was evident in her involvement in civic affairs, her dedication to friendships and her love of sports, especially golf. She and her husband rarely missed attending their OSU football games.
Mrs. Benedict and her family moved to Irvine, KY when her husband became employed as Superintendent of South-East Coal Company’s processing plant. She later worked there as well. Peggy and her husband loved living in the Bluegrass State and were passionate Keeneland and Derby fans. She was president of the Women’s Central KY Golf Association, winning the coveted Marion Miley cup for her flight. She was a Kentucky Colonel, a member of the Irvine United Methodist Church, an art teacher at Estill Co. HS, a spirited UK basketball spectator and an enthusiastic community volunteer. She and her husband traveled extensively and finally retired to Pompano Beach, FL.
Peggy was known by her vibrant personality and artistic and athletic talents. Well into her 90s, she continued playing golf, teaching art lessons to the residents of her retirement communities and playing bridge three times a week. Mrs. Benedict lived in Auburn, AL, Buford and Canton, GA in retirement communities until her death. She is survived and dearly loved by her daughters, Cheryl Lynn Sullivan and Deborah Benedict Davis; her grandsons, Christopher Ryan Cottengim and James Kyle Cottengim; and her great-grandchildren, Taylor, Sydnie and Cooper Cottengim.