Peggy Frances Owens-Mansfield

Peggy Frances Owens-Mansfield, 69, the spouse of the Reverend Dr. Doak Mansfield, died 24 February 2020, at her home in Fort Walton Beach, Florida. A native of Mississippi, she was born 14 June 1950 to Norris and Clara Owens. After completing high school, Peggy graduated from Jones College and from the University of Southern Mississippi.

Her public life largely revolved around her work for the American Red Cross. Beginning with her decade of service as youth director for the Pensacola Chapter of the ARC (1975-85,) she took a special interest in the Red Cross Youth Program. She led the highly successful annual Leadership Training Conference (LTC) for 35 years. More than 1,200 youth participated over the years. She expanded Red Cross services for the elderly through annual holiday boxes of food.

Peggy served for 26 years (1985-2011) as executive director of the Pine Belt Red Cross in Laurel, MS. She was involved in many community efforts and organizations. The Pine Belt Chapter recruited and trained more than 1,000 volunteers under her leadership. During her tenure, the chapter responded to hundreds of small disasters such as house fires and several huge ones, topped off by Hurricane Katrina. Pine Belt volunteer responded to New York City after the attack on the World Trade Center on 11 September 2001.

“Lonesome Pines Bluegrass Park” in the Calhoun Community was the effort of her family. She worked with her father, mother and sister, along with dozens of family and friends to make the semi-annual event a significant celebration that featured such bluegrass greats as Jim and Jessie, Allison Kraus, Osbornes, and Ralph Stanley. Operated for 20 years, the last eight years it was a Pine Belt Chapter ARC fundraiser.

She was a member of Our Home Universalist Unitarian Church Ellisville, MS. Retiring in 2011 she traveled with her husband serving Unitarian Universalist Churches in Clinton, N.C., Tampa, Fla., Pasco, Wash., and Valparaiso, Fla.

Peggy is survived by her husband, and by several nieces, nephews, and cousins. Gifts in her memory can be directed to St. Jude Hospital (Memphis), Glory House Food Project (Laurel), Jones College Community Service Scholarship Fund (Ellisville) and Animal Rescue League (Laurel).