Eliza H. Peeler

Eliza Hunt Peeler passed away quietly on April 5, 2013. She was born in Saluda, SC on March 22, 1917. She was the second daughter to Dr. and Mrs.  J. Allen Hunt.  She attended the University of South Carolina and became the secretary at University High in Columbia, SC. She married Thomas (Tom) A. Peeler in 1941.  Tom worked for Swift & Co. and they spent most of their married life moving with work/promotions with Swift & Co. all over the United States. She was known for her odd sense of humor and profound love of music and theater.  Wherever they moved she became active in the churches they attended as well as garden and book clubs, DAR, PEO, and politics, and often voluntarily held offices in the various groups. She was given a surprise birthday party when she turned 75 where it was noted that she belonged to 13 clubs and organizations at that time. Tom and Eliza retired to Shelby, NC in 1977. They were great supporters of Young Life; they hosted at Windy Gap, in Weaverville, NC for a number of years. She was active in the NC Senior Games (especially Line Dancing) and won numerous awards while living in Shelby.  In 1998 Eliza was presented with an Honorary Life Membership by the Presbyterian Women of the Shelby Presbyterian Church where she volunteered  with the Sunday evening youth group for years . In 1999 Eliza moved to Raleigh, NC to live with her daughter and son -in-law, then moved with them to Sylva, NC in 2006. In Raleigh, she mentored many youth with reading difficulties. She became a resident of Mountain Trace Nursing facility in 2009 where she received great care until her death. She is survived by her daughter Eliza Diane and son-in-law, Don Herring of Sylva, NC,  granddaughter Eliza Beth Engle, her husband,  James R. Thompson, great- grandson, Thomas A. McKnight, all of Alexandria, VA,  Margaret Engle Reyes, her husband, Robb and great- granddaughter, Quela Eliza, of Lewes, DE.  She is survived also by her sister, Esther Padget of Columbia, SC, brother-in-law & sister-in-law, William and Margaret Peeler of Bahama, NC and brother -in-law Robert Warlick of Lawndale, NC, along with 21 nieces and nephews and their spouses and numerous children. She was preceded by her husband Thomas A. Peeler in 1983 and her older sister, Avice Kaiser, in 2010. If you plan to join the celebration of Eliza’s life, if possible please wear her favorite color - any shade of Pink to Red. Visitation will be held at Appalachian Funeral Service in Sylva, NC on Friday April 12 from 6p-8p. There will be a service at Shelby Presbyterian Church, 226 East Graham St, Shelby, NC 28151 on Saturday, April 13 at 2:00 pm with a reception for family and friends in the Fellowship Hall following the service.   She will join her beloved Tom in a mausoleum at the Cleveland Memorial Cemetery. Memorial donations can be made in her name to Young Life Blue Ridge, PO Box 1662, Cullowhee, NC 28723, or United Christian Ministries, PO Box 188, Sylva, NC 28779. Thanks to ALL for your prayers and support over the years.