Peggy Jean (Flowers) Eskridge

Peggy Jean Eskridge, 58, of 1329 Campeau St., died at 7:40 a.m. Friday in her home.  She was a visiting counselor and, beginning in 1950, the first black teacher to work for the South Bend Community School Corp. Born April 22, 1928, in South Bend, she had lived here all her life.

On Nov. 24, 1955, in South Bend, she married Adolph J. Eskridge, who survives. Also surviving are a daughter, Mona Jayne Eskridge of Chicago; a son, Mark J. of Chicago; and her mother, Mary Margaret Flowers of South Bend.

A sister, Yvonne Bradley, preceded her in death.

Services will be at 11 a.m. Tuesday in Olivet A.M.E. Church, of which she was a member. Burial will be at Highland Cemetery. Friends may call from 4 to 8 p.m. Monday in Welsheimer Funeral Home, where Delta Sigma Theta will conduct a service at 6:30 p.m.

Mrs. Eskridge was a graduate of Riley High School; she received her bachelor's and master's degrees from Indiana University, Bloomington. She was a former member of the Olivet A.M.E. Church choir, director of the Board of Christian Education, treasurer of the Flower Guild, coordinator of Vacation Bible school and a teacher of the e Sunday school. She was also a member of Sarelle Entre Nous, Delta Kappa Gamma international society for women educators, Delta Sigma Theta national social sorority, American Association of University Women, H.T. Burleigh Music Association, Presbyterian Players, Board of Hering House, YWCA Board, Boys' Club Board, Black Community Scholarship Board and the St. Joseph County Diversion Services.

Memorial contributions may be made to Hospice of St. Joseph County or to the American Cancer Society

Article from 14 Dec 1986 The South Bend Tribune (South Bend, IN)

Sources: Ancestry.com, Newspapers.com and FindAGrave.com

02/25/2026 EJS

https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/200204693/peggy_jean-eskridge