She was a member of First Baptist Church where she attended the T. Roy Jones Sunday school class. She was known for her bright smile and never met a stranger. Her faithful and positive outlook on life brought joy to everyone she knew.
She was the daughter of the late Herman and Leona Prophater. She was also preceded in death by her first husband, Gordon Beard; her second husband, Bobby Riden; and her two brothers: Herman Prophater and Kenneth Prophater.
She is survived by her children: Linda (Allen) Mansfield of Chattanooga, Amy (John) Swingle of Marietta, Ga., Lori Howard of Signal Mountain and Joel (Angela) Beard of Chattanooga; three stepchildren, Carol (Jerry) Collins of Knoxville, Keith Riden of Clovis, Minn., and Paul (Tammy) Riden of Lumberton, N.C.; 14 grandchildren: Patrick (Britney) Mansfield, Karen Mansfield, Brian (Louise) Swingle, Daniel Swingle, Adam Howard, Chase Beard, Sam Beard, Janna Rigsby, Sarah Velba, Jacob Velba, Alisha Everhart, Laura Hart, Matthew Riden, and Joshua Riden; and one soon to be born great-grandchild, Haley Mansfield.
The funeral will be held at 11 a.m. Friday, Sept. 30, 2011, in the chapel of Ralph Buckner Funeral Home with David Hayes Prophater, Minister, officiating.
Interment will follow in the Chattanooga National Cemetery at approximately 1:30 p.m.
Patrick Mansfield, Brian Swingle, Daniel Swingle, Adam Howard, Chase Beard and Sam Beard will serve as pallbearers. Honorary pallbearers will be Keith Riden, Paul Riden, Jacob Velba, Matthew Riden, and Joshua Riden.
The family acknowledges the loving and compassionate care provided by Joyce Gassett, Betty Mayes and Debra Davenport.
The family will receive friends from 4 to 8 p.m. today at the funeral home.
The family requests memorials be made to the Alzheimer’s Association, 7625 Hamilton Park Drive, Ste. 22, Chattanooga, TN 37421 in memory of Peggy Beard Riden.
The family encourages you to visit the Peggy Beard Riden guest book @ www.ralphbuckner.com and leave a message of condolence.
