Peggy Simmons McQuown, 85, of Greenwood, SC, passed away on Sunday, August 28, 2016 at HospiceCare of the Piedmont.

Peggy was born May 25, 1931 in Walterboro, SC and grew up in Hampton, SC. She was the daughter of the late Orren La Motte Simmons and Margaret Simmons Hurlstone. Peggy graduated from Hampton High School in 1948, and that year was chosen Miss Hampton County Watermelon Queen. In 1951, she received her nursing degree from the Medical College of South Carolina. Later that year, she married Dr. James Allan McQuown and they moved to Greenwood, where he started his practice in Orthopedic Surgery.

Peggy and Jim were parents to eight children, grandparents to 21, and great grandparents to eight. Peggy's contributions to her family, community and church were numerous. Peggy was a loving wife, mother, homemaker and accomplished seamstress. While her children were growing up, she was an active part in each of their schools and made certain that they all participated in every opportunity that presented itself through church, school and other community organizations.

Peggy was very active with all her daughters in scouting, and served as a troop leader, neighborhood chairman, board member and Past President of the Old Ninety Six Girl Scout Council.

Peggy returned to Nursing in 1979, and until her retirement in 1993, worked at both the Greenwood Nursing Home and the Greenwood Methodist Home.

In 1997, Peggy was named South Carolina's Mother of the Year by the South Carolina Mothers Committee. Governor David Beasley presented her with the Order of the Palmetto in 1997 which is the highest civilian award given in the State of South Carolina.

Peggy was past president of the Greenwood Medical Auxiliary, Board Member of the Greenwood County Department of Social Services, Past President and lifetime member of the Holly Garden Club, member of the Piedmont Multi-County Disabilities and Special Needs Board, School Board Member for the Greenwood County School District 50 serving fourteen years, and Board Member of the United Way of Greenwood County.

Peggy was a member of First Presbyterian Church, where she was ordained to the Diaconate and served as a Sunday School teacher, Circle Leader and President of the Women of the Church. She was past Moderator of Presbyterian Women of Trinity Presbytery, chaired many committees in the Presbytery and received an Honorary Life Membership from the Women of the Church of South Carolina.

She was a strong advocate for people with disabilities for over 40 years, and served on the South Carolina ARC, Greenwood County ARC, Emerald Center Human Rights Committee, and Chairperson of the Emerald Center Parent Monitor Group. After her husband's passing, she and her family donated the train "Big Red Express" to the Burton Center that carries 16 ambulatory and 6 non-ambulatory individuals – which has given so much joy to the clients of the Burton Center and the Miracle League.

Peggy was preceded in death by her husband of fifty years, Dr. James Allan McQuown, and her second husband, Dr. William A. Klauber and nephews, Michael Wynne and John Paul Simmons.

She is survived by two sons, Dr. James Allan McQuown, Jr. (Nancy) and John Mark McQuown, both of Greenwood; six daughters, Dr. Sherry A. Yanney (Jim) of Charleston, Neva L. Peagler (William) of Moncks Corner, Kathleen S. Gunn (Monty) of Greenwood, Peggy Ann Gramling (Steve) of Moncks Corner, Mary Margaret Jackson (Bob) of Greenwood and Suzanna M. Johnston (Clyde) of Hilton Head; grandchildren, Hayes, James, Ferris and Ramsey Yanney, Diane Peagler, Anne Toro Soviero (Paul), Mary and Michelle Toro, Era Lynn Gramling Zeigler (Jonathan), Margaret Gramling Friar (Will), Sara Gramling Craven (Josh), Lee Gramling, Chris and Kevin Jackson, Mary Emmie McQuown Mai (Michael), Beth, Matthew and Anna McQuown, Mackenzie, Victoria and Rebecca Johnston; great grandchildren, Trinity Thompson and Arianna Baughn, Sofia, Annalisa and Vincent Soviero, Cassidy Robertson, Thomas and Suzanna Friar; sisters, Angelina Colvin and Rebecca Davies; brother, Orren La Motte Simmons, Jr.; nieces, Star DeMint, Pam Spencer, Summer Simmons, and Joan W. Matthews (Robert); nephew, Robert Wynne (Margie) and faithful care providers, Mashura Mufuka, Frank and Arlene Morgan.

A memorial service will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Thursday at First Presbyterian Church, Greenwood, SC, with the Rev. Dr. Kyle Hite officiating.

The family will receive friends at Harley Funeral Home on Wednesday from 7 to 9 p.m.

The family suggests memorial contributions in honor of Peggy may be made to either The Burton Center Foundation, 2605 Hwy 72 221E, Greenwood, SC 29649 or First Presbyterian Church, P.O. Box 426, Greenwood, SC 29646.