Peter Paige

Dr. Peter Paige, 83 of Lincolnton, Ga. entered into rest on Wednesday, February 3, 2021 at Augusta University Medical Center. He was the son of the late Herman Paige and Sara Richards Paige and was born in Boston, Massachusetts. He spent his career in education administration and even continued to do so after retirement. Dr. Paige was a faithful member of First Assembly of God Church in Lincolnton, Georgia. In addition to his parents, Dr. Paige was preceded in death by his sister, Caroline Malloy. His survivors include his loving wife of 59 years, Phyllis Blankenship Paige; a son, Philip D. Paige and wife, Larisa of Evans, Georgia; a daughter, Pam L. Paige of Marietta, Georgia; brothers, Paul Paige and wife, Alice of Phoenix, Arizona and Phillip Paige of Connecticut; a sister, Margaret Bond of Brooklyn, Connecticut; two granddaughters and one grandson. Funeral arrangements will be announced later by Beggs Funeral Home, 200 May Ave., Lincolnton.

Eulogy, by Philip Paige, Dr. Paige's son:

My father was a man of great heart. He had a heart for education, earning his Doctorate in Education Administration and serving as principal of Warren Road Elementary for 28 years. He was known by the thousands of students that passed through his school for his blue, 1962 Ford Falcon which was his first new car. One summer, he committed to sleeping on the roof if his students read enough books. They did, and he kept his word, sleeping in a tent in an inch of rain. The story was picked up by the Associated Press and covered in newspapers all over the world. Several years later, he was invited to the White House when Warren Road was named one of seven National Schools of Excellence. The picture of him receiving the award from then first lady Nancy Reagan hung in his office. I asked him once about how he had been so successful, assuming he would attribute it to the long hours and service but he replied that he had hired the best people. “I hired them and let them do their jobs. I was great at delegation”.

After retirement, he continued to teach graduate education classes, helping teachers with their ongoing education. He never lost his passion for education, even considering a third career (in his 70's) with a run for Lincoln county School superintendent. Up until a few years ago, he would still participate in the Richmond County Teacher of the Year awards and go to the annual Foursquare Tournament at the school.

He had a heart for his faith and was a dedicated believer. He also had a heart for music and always felt like his service to the Lord was through music, singing in an a cappella quartet in college and later for many years at First Baptist in the Ensemble and choir. He never missed choir practice and often sang in both services. After moving to Lincolnton, he continued to sing in the choir at First Assembly until his voice diminished. He loved to play the saxophone and accomplished his dream of playing his favorite song, Amazing Grace, during a service after countless hours of practice to ensure it would be perfect. It was and he got a standing ovation.

He had a heart for his family, and was a devoted and loving father to my sister and I. One of his greatest joys was as a grandfather, lighting up whenever he would see his grandson and granddaughters. They softened him and comforted him for days after their visits as his health began to fail and old age took its toll, bringing him laughter when nothing else would. By his side through everything, was the other half of his heart, his wife of 59 years. His partner and best friend, Phyllis, he loved her more than anything and was hard pressed to leave her side. They did everything together and he would join her at appointments and errands, just to be with her.

In the end, the story of his life finished with his heart, as he suffered from a rare heart condition that teams of doctors at Augusta University couldn't solve. He endured his final month in the hospital with strength and hope and humor, converting caregivers into friends throughout the hospital. As an unfailing optimist, he made lists of plans for what he would accomplish when he got better. As a lifelong educator, he hoped that the doctors would learn something about his condition that would help someone else.

He was a great man. A selfless man of pragmatism, wisdom and boundless kindness. He went quietly and peacefully, surrounded by family, into the Lord's arms on February 3rd , 2021.

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