Peggy Lorena Barnum passed from this earth into her heavenly home on Friday, September 20, 2024. She was born in Laurel County on Jan. 22, 1947. Peggy's faith and love of Jesus Christ overflowed into every area of her life. She retired from the Jefferson County Public School System in 2002, after teaching for over 33 years. She also joyfully served in her role as a minister's wife for 41 years throughout Kentucky. Peggy attended Scotts one room schoolhouse and graduated from Lily High School in 1964. She went on to graduate from Sue Bennett and Union College, where she also earned her Master's Degree.

Peggy was known for her generous heart and had a gift of hospitality. It is rumored that she has single-handedly kept the United States Postal Service afloat by mailing endless notes with encouraging words to her friends and church family. She was a servant and cared for her husband with Alzheimer's until his death in August of 2020. For many years, she was the social coordinator for her friend groups and loved attending events at SKYPAC.  Peggy delighted most in her family. With eleven grandchildren, she was never without a birthday party or cute story to share with any willing listener. She was so proud of everything they accomplished, or even attempted.  She was a faithful member of St. James United Methodist Church and loved singing in the church choir.

Peggy was preceded in death by her parents, Herman and Eula (Craig) Beard, and her husband of 51 years, Rev. Philip T. Barnum.  She is survived by her two sons: Stephen (Denise) and their four children (Berkley, Ember, Arlee and Otto) of Nashville, TN and Michael (Reagan) and their seven children (Helen, Harper, Halle, Henry, Holly, Holt and Harrison) of Woodburn, KY.

Visitation will take place at Johnson-Vaughn-Phelps Funeral Home on Thursday, September 26th from 10am - 1pm, with the service taking place at 1pm. Burial will take place on Friday in Corbin, KY.  Because of Peggy's desire to share the Gospel,  any expression of sympathy may be sent to Wycliff Bible Translators at wycliffe.org or to the Eastwood Baptist Adoption Ministry at eastwoodonline.net in honor of her youngest grandson.