Peden School
 

PEDEN SCHOOL
By Virginia L. Peden

In September, 1952, Virginia LeTulle Peden assumed ownership of the school founded by Miss Tenie Holmes and known as "Miss Tenie Holmes Kindergarten" until her death in the summer of 1952. Under the direction of Mrs. Peden, the school was renamed the "Virginia L. Peden School." The building was given to the Bay City public school system by Mrs. Peden's uncle, V. L. LeTulle. In 1961 Mr. and Mrs. Peden purchased the lot and building and remodeled the building by enlarging the rooms and adding a covered back porch or play area for rainy days. A few years later, a bell tower was added on the roof to house a large bell with the pull ropes inside the building.

Older graduates of the first school are legion in Bay City, as are graduates of its successor, Peden School. Under the tutelage of Virginia Peden, Bess Yancy, Millie Simpson, Jeanne Goodman, and others, the school was well established in the educational system of this area.

The 50 to 75 young charges each year received a well-rounded preparation for grade school which included the teaching of phonetics, flash cards, and the use of the McKee System as it was stressed in the public school. Additionally, the youngsters received instruction in art, dancing, foreign languages (French and Spanish), and music. The Peden School Rhythm Band--its members attired in their school uniforms of navy blue blazers with school crests grey skirts or knee-Ienth trousers, and navy French tams--played an important role, performing before various clubs and organizations and on radio and television. Graduation from Peden School each spring was celebrated with a beautiful May Fete.

Mr. and Mrs. Peden had no children of their own; however, they cared for Bay City children in many ways for many years. In 1975, after twenty-three years, Virginia L. Peden closed the school and retired.

Historic Matagorda County, Volume III
 

Virginia LeTulle Peden, 82, of Bay City died September 10, 2000 at Matagorda General Hospital in Bay City. She was born August 29, 1918 to the late John James and Katherine Beach LeTulle.

Mrs. Peden was a member of the First Presbyterian Church and a long-time resident of Bay City. Her notable contributions to the community began in 1939 when she organized and led Girl Scout Troop #1 of Bay City and served as the Commissioner of Bay City Girl Scouts from 1944 to 1948. She was a charter member of the Bay City Study Club, which began in 1947, and the Bay City Junior Service League, which began in 1959. From 1952 until 1975, she devoted her life to educating children at the Peden School. She will be remembered and missed by all those whose lives she touched.

Survivors include husband of 61 years, Robert F. Peden, Jr. of Bay City; her sisters Jean Anderson, Hattie Ziegenhals and Juanita Matthes of Bay City and Ida Mae Taylor of Rockport, Texas, and numerous nieces, nephews, and godchildren.

Funeral Services will be 4:00 p.m. Tuesday, September 12, 2000 at the First Presbyterian Church with the Rev. Sam Steele officiating. Interment will be at Cedarvale Cemetery. Pallbearers include Marc Harrington, Scott Peden, Phil Peden, Jr., Jim Matthes, James Lee Ziegenhals and Rusty Green. Honorary pallbearers are to be Louis Ziegenhals, Bruce Ziegenhals, Richard Taylor, Don Haley, Johnny LeTulle and Marc Landrum.

Arrangements are with Taylor Bros. Funeral Home. A00011A2000SP12

The Daily Tribune, Tuesday, September 12, 2000
 

Graduation, May Fete For Peden School Held

Ceremonies concerning graduation and a May Fete were held Thursday night at the high school gymnasium for members of the Virginia L. Peden School of Bay City. About 24 first graders and 30 kindergarten members were honored in the ceremony.

The program included a variety of events, all based on the royal theme as Rugeley Bachman, son of Mr. and Mrs. Richard Bachman, was crowned King, and Cathryn Sparks, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. J. A. Sparks was crowned Queen.

Prince and princess of the kindergarten were Patricia Reading and Allen Green and the duke and duchess were Jolane Evatt and Gary Yates.

The pince and princess of the first grade were Helen Harper and Robin Hood, while the uke and duchess were Kathleen Barrett and Dikki Mac Stanley.

Teachers of the school include Virginia Peden, Bess Yancey and Geraldine Rogers.

Matagorda County Tribune, May 31, 1956
 

Peden School 1953-1954
Kindergarten & First Grade

Photo courtesy of Shirley L. Brown           Identification assistance from Jessica Broughton Leslie

Left Side
Teachers - Mrs. Yancey & Billie Johnson, Mrs. Peden

If you can identify any students, please email .

First Grade 1953-1954

Photo courtesy of Shirley L. Brown

Left Side

If you can identify any students, please email .

Virginia Peden's School Rhythm Band

Photo courtesy of Shirley L. Brown

Virginia Peden's School Rhythm Band recently starred on a radio program presented by KIOX. There are 46 cute kids but not all are pictured above.

From the bottom row are Carolyn Amos, Judy Dellis, Barbara Morrow, Janet Green, Kathie Cole, Karl Simmons, Rudy Becton, Charlene Gregory and Jacqueline McWhirter.

On the second row are James Mulligan, Pat McKelvy, Fredell Schwartz, Judy Benedict, Alice Lynell Sellers, Cynthia Birkner, Gregory Mulligan, Martha Hale, Nancy Block, Larry Vandiver and Pat Mangum.

Third row: Shirley Ledwig, Mack Simons, Ingrid Block, Charles Russell Bell, Terry Lewis, Donald Meyer, Alice Sue Cagle, Louis Ziegenhals, Laura Stewart and Bruce Ziegenhals.

Top row: Rickey Smith, Theresa Stridde, David Harrison, Harvey Schultz, Marilyn Mehrens, Band Leader Rusty Green, Lon Vaughan, Kay Griffith, Mona Lawrence, Maureen New and Jessica Broughton.

Not pictured are Bobby Cram, Rusty Hudson, Richard Browne, Gynda Coston, and Richard Poe.

Teachers are Mesdames Virginia L. Peden, J. D. Yancey and F. A. Johnson. (Photo by Stewarts)

Daily Tribune, April 2, 1954