Arrangements by Preferred Cremation & Burial
Mary Peeler was born on January 28, 1933, in Durham, NC to Charles and Ophelia Chadwick. She was the eldest of six children.
The family moved to Durham, NC to join her beloved grandparents, Joseph and Mary Langley where she began elementary school. Mary enjoyed the extended family experience and left school at lunchtime to cook for her grandmother when she became ill while she was a pre-teen.
She accepted Christ at an early age under the leadership of Rev. S. P. Perry at St. Mark AME Zion Church in Durham, NC. Mary was a graduate of Hillside Park High School class of 1950 and was a student hire at Duke University in Diversified Occupations. She was employed at the Carolina Times Newspaper, which was one of the first Black-owned businesses in Durham, and at The Service Printing Company. Shortly after graduation, while furthering her education, Mary attended Winston-Salem State Teachers College where she majored in Nursing.
In 1953 Mary began working for Revlon Cosmetics. She also was the first Black to work as a bookkeeper and accountant for the Tafte Hotel in New York City.
In 1956, Mary met and married the love of her life, Willis Peeler, in New York. They were blessed with two daughters.
Mary faithfully served in the Missionary and Children’s Ministries at New Corinthian Baptist Church. Mary later united with Greater Life Baptist Church and held membership in the Order of the Eastern Star.
Mary loved sports and enjoyed rooting for the San Diego Chargers, Padres, Clippers, and Los Angeles Dodgers. Mary was an exceptional cook and enjoyed preparing culinary masterpieces for her family. She would bake each child their own sweet potato pie and favorite cake during the holidays. She also enjoyed puzzles and playing nightly games of Yahtzee, Bid Wist, Pinochle, and Cribbage with her husband.
Mary was received by her heavenly father on March 1, 2023, where she joined her husband Willis; her parents; siblings Robert, Louise, Clarence and Viola; her beloved Aunts Marie, Vera, Edna, and Laura; and Uncle William Caston (Rose).
She leaves to cherish her wonderful memories: daughters Beverly Thompson (Ron) and Jeannie Johnson (Michael); one sister Lillian Stanley (Dr. Covia Stanley); one granddaughter Teri Thompson; two grandsons Michael Johnson II and Matthew Johnson; seven great-grandchildren, as well as a host of nieces and nephews, extended family and friends.
