Marguerite Easterling Cole Manders (Peggy), a resident of Daphne, Alabama, passed away peacefully at her home surrounded by her family on May 17, 2022. She was born in Dillon, South Carolina to Marguerite Easterling Cole and James B. Cole on March 10, 1937. Peggy graduated from Dillon High School where she excelled as a scholar, homecoming queen, president of the debate club, head band majorette, and Miss Dillon.
She attended Flora McDonald College, a Scottish Presbyterian Women’s College in Red Springs, North Carolina. It was there she met the love of her life, George Manders, a young soldier from Mobile, at nearby Fort Bragg. They married in June, 1959 and remained happily married until his death in 1991. No two people loved each other more and they enjoyed each other’s company over all others, with the best times at Cotton Bayou on the boat he named after her, the Miss Dillon.
Peggy and George raised their children in Daphne, Alabama in a home full of love and laughter. She is survived by her son, Captain George C. Manders (Pam), daughter Margaret Pugh (Paul), daughter Dr. Jenny Manders, grandchildren Cullan Pugh (Jessica), Ryan Pugh (Jacey), Cole Manders, Henley Manders, and Kenny Coggins (Ashley), and two great-grandchildren, Savannah and Ryder Coggins. She is also survived by her sister, Jeanette Cole Davis, and loving nieces and nephews.
Peggy will be remembered for her devotion to her family, the unconditional love she extended to everyone she knew, her pride in her Scottish heritage, and beautiful Southern accent. In lieu of flowers, memorials can be made to the Captain George A. Manders Scholarship Fund at the University of South Alabama at http://giving.southalabama.edu/Manders or CampCole.org.
A private memorial service with the immediate family will be held.
