Ina Kathleen (Gregory) Deeds, 89, of Lexington, South Carolina, peacefully passed away on October 3, 2026, at Presbyterian Community of Columbia following a brief illness. She was born at home in Bell Hill, Kentucky on June 16, 1937, to the late Thomas Gregory and Lona (Coffey) Gregory. She was married to the late George Ronald “Ron” Deeds on February 25, 1955, and they celebrated 71 years of marital happiness before his passing on February 26, 2026.

Ina graduated from Muncie Central High School and attended Indiana Business College. Ina worked for 25 years for Muncie Community Schools, specifically the business classes at Southside High School and with third grade students and hearing-impaired students at Grissom Memorial Elementary until she retired in 1993. Prior to working for Muncie Community Schools, Ina was employed in the office at Smith’s Jewelers and was the soda fountain manager at Hook’s Drug Store. After retiring and moving to South Carolina, she decided to go back to work part-time in 2003 filing insurance claims for a physician practice where her daughter worked. She worked there until 2006.

Ina was very active with the Muncie Community Schools. She was on the PTA board, tutored hearing-impaired students during the summer school break, participated in the Teachers’ Bowling League, and volunteered at the annual Grissom Spring Festival. She was also a member of several bowling leagues and euchre card clubs. She was highly active as a volunteer, classroom assistant, and chaperone with her children’s and grandson’s school sports, band, colorguard, and academic activities and could always be seen at practices, rehearsals, performances, and competitions. Once moving to Lexington, SC, Ina was an active member of The Red Hat Ladies, several Bible study groups, card clubs, and book clubs. She was on the Gardening and Social Committees in her neighborhood. She was a Member and Choir participant for 30 years at St. Paul’s United Methodist Church in Muncie, IN. She was a Member of Lexington United Methodist Church in Lexington, SC.

Many people weren’t aware that Ina was an avid writer. She took writing courses directly with Ron Roy, a prominent writer of children’s fiction. Ina wrote several children’s books but never attempted to get them published. She was very proud of her stories.

Ina was raised in the mountains of Kentucky with many coalminer family members, including her dad, brothers, and uncles. She was immensely proud of her heritage, loved to share her experiences growing up, and was constantly researching her background. True to her upbringing, no one was a stranger, everyone was invited in, and not only did she always try to feed you more than you could eat; she would also send you home with food so you wouldn’t go hungry later.

Ina is survived by sons, Bruce Deeds (wife Kacee) and Rick Deeds, both of Muncie, IN; daughter, Robin Todd (husband Mike) of Lexington, SC; grandson, Griffin Todd of Los Angeles, CA, and several beloved nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her husband, parents, brothers - Austin, Ray, Starling, Gleon Dolan, Erving, Bronie, and Don Gregory; sisters – Iva Jean Gregory, Betty (Gregory) Jones, and Lona Mae (Gregory) Pitman; cousins raised as siblings – Larry, Vina Jean, and Ruth Ann Gregory; and daughter-in law Virginia “Ginny” Deeds.

Family will receive visitors from 11:30 am to 1:00 pm, on Friday, October 9, 2026, at Garden View Funeral Home, 10501 N State Rd 3, Muncie, Indiana 47303.

A service to celebrate Ina’s life will begin at 1:00 pm on Friday, October 9, 2026, with The Rev. James T. Said officiating.

Graveside service and burial will immediately follow the service at Gardens of Memory Cemetery, 10703 N State Rd 3, Muncie, IN 47303.