Peggy Jo (Badgett) Rickert

Peggy Jo Badgett Rickert, 88, of Statesville, passed away Thursday, February 2, 2023, at the Gordon Hospice House.

Mrs. Rickert was born in Surry County on August 28, 1934, the daughter of Eddie Badgett and Victoria Collins Badgett.  Peggy was a 1956 Graduate of Appalachian State University, the Reich College of Education, receiving a Bachelor of Science in Economics, Business, and Teaching. She was honored as an Emeritus member of the Reich College of Education’s Advancement Board and was awarded the Rhododendron Award in 2008, the highest honor awarded by the Reich College of Education at Appalachian State University. She was a member of the 1899 Legacy Society. Peggy had a successful career as an educator having taught for more than 50 years, serving the Iredell-Statesville School System, at Wayside Elementary School, Mulberry Elementary School, and Statesville Middle School. Peggy was honored by Governor Mike Easley with the Order of the Long Leaf Pine in 2007. Peggy was a member of the Alpha Delta Kappa, Fidelis Tau Chapter - Society for Educators. She was a member of First Associate Reformed Presbyterian Church, where she and her husband Charles were youth leaders and served in that capacity for a number of years. She was a faithful and active member of the Womens Ministries and MacDowell Music Club for a number of years. Peggy was a longtime president of the Friendship Sunday School Class.

Along with her parents, Mrs. Rickert was preceded in death by her husband, Charles Thomas Rickert, who passed away in 2012 and her nephew, Jimmy Rickert (Carol).

Peggy is survived by her sister-in-law, Susan R. McLain, her nieces, and nephews: Patricia R. Benge (Rickey), John Rickert (Derinda), Debby R. Mason, Tom Leach (Donnie), Pam Ellis (Mike), Barbara Lang (Glen), Judy Edwards (William), Betsy Dyer (Eric), Lynn M. Deal (Dennis), Phil McLain (Louise), Michael McLain (Janet), and numerous beloved great-nieces and nephews.

A funeral service honoring the life of Peggy Rickert will be conducted 3:00 pm, Saturday, February 11, 2023 at First ARP Church in Statesville. Burial will be prior to the service, 1:00 pm in the Snow Creek Church Cemetery. The family will speak with friends following the service at the church.

Those wishing to make memorial contributions are asked to consider First ARP Church, the Gordon Hospice House or to the Rhododendron Scholarship Endowment, in care of ASU Foundation/Gina Harwood, ASU Box 32176, Boone, NC 28608.