Kari Claudette Langford Peden

Kari Claudette Langford Peden, 47, passed away Monday, August 31, 2026, at Baylor Scott & White Medical Center in Waco, Texas. Kari died peacefully in her sleep after experiencing a rare and sudden issue with her liver.

A Celebration of Kari’s Life will be held 11:00 a.m. Monday, September 14, 2026, at Central United Methodist Church in Waco. There will be a visitation prior to the service starting at 10:00 a.m. Immediately following the service, there will be a reception in her honor so that all can share the joyful memories and fellowship which she brought to so many people.

Kari was born on April 22, 1979, in Ft. Worth. She accepted Christ at a young age at University Baptist Church. Her faith, the loving guidance of her parents and the excellent choral music program of University Baptist Church were the foundation for the remainder of her life.

She was a graduate of R. L. Paschal High School with honors and graduated Summa Cum Laude with a Bachelor of Music degree from Hardin-Simmons University, a Master of Music degree from Baylor University and a Master of Divinity degree from Baylor’s Truett Seminary.

While she did not serve as a traditional missionary, she found her ministry through the many students whose lives she helped guide as a Lead Advising Specialist in the Advising & Career Services Department of McLennan Community College as well as sharing the gift of her beautiful voice in many churches both here and abroad and by simply being a true and honest friend.

Kari enjoyed sharing her voice in many different and challenging environments. She appeared on-stage in many different Waco Civic Theatre productions including as Eliza Doolittle in My Fair Lady (2011), Madame de la Grande Bouche in Beauty & the Beast, Suzy in The Marvelous Wonderettes: Dream On, and ensemble roles in The Music Man, Les Misérables, and Oklahoma! In addition, Kari served as Music Director for Newsies, Junie B. Jones, Oklahoma!, Waitress and My Fair Lady (2025). She was a proud member of the Central Texas Choral Society, directed by Dr. David Guess and Voci d’Amici, directed by Dr. Lloyd Hawthorne. She also delighted in performing popular music locally with her friends in The Texas Heatwave Band and Rachel and the Resistors.

Kari was preceded in death by her father, William Curtis (Bill) Langford, Jr. and is survived by her husband of 19 years, R. Scott Peden; her stepchildren, Ashley and Rob; her mother, Janice Elizabeth Langford Summers of Ft. Worth, and her sister, Gema Melinda Langford of Ft. Worth.

Kari was known for her true kindness, her dazzling smile and her love of Corgis. She will be greatly missed by all those whose lives she touched.

While Kari did enjoy the beauty of flowers, the family asks you consider making a more lasting gift in her name to one or more of the following non-profit organizations and/or attend a musical performance sponsored by them:

· Central Texas Choral Society

· Waco Civic Theatre

· McLennan Community College Foundation

· Hardin-Simmons University

· Baylor University

· Truett Seminary

The family invites you to leave a message or memory for Kari in her Memorial Guestbook at www.WHBfamily.com.