Kenneth Poe Funeral Services

January 20, 2016

Barbara Peacock passed away on Wednesday, January 20, 2016, after a long illness, her good life filled with church work, music, art and, best of all, the deep love of family. She was 82. Born January 24, 1933, and raised in Greenville, NC, Barbara was studying voice at Salem College in Winston-Salem in 1954 when a double date changed everything. She and Ward Peacock went to the movies that evening - the start of a wonderful marriage that lasted 60 years and blessed them with three children, seven grandchildren and many precious memories.

The Peacocks raised their family in Chattanooga, TN, before settling in Charlotte in 1981 when Ward became Chief Financial Officer at Springs Industries. Barbara expressed her strong Christian faith by serving on staff at several United Methodist churches, including Singles Ministry Director at Brainerd United Methodist in Chattanooga, Christian Education Director at First United Methodist in Dallas, NC, and Children's Ministry Director at Good Shepherd United Methodist in Charlotte. Myers Park United Methodist became their church home, where Barbara taught Sunday School and Disciple Bible Study, served as a Stephen Minister and sang soprano in the Chancel Choir. Together, Ward and Barbara rarely missed a Fellowship Sunday School class gathering. So strong was her faith, Barbara earned a Master of Theological Studies degree from Southern Evangelical Seminary in 1996. That came years after graduating from St. Mary's College in Raleigh and then earning a Bachelor of Arts degree from Salem College and Master of Education degree from Winthrop University. Barbara is survived by her husband, Ward; three children - Ward Peacock Jr. and his wife, Kathleen, of Chapel Hill, Stephen Peacock and his wife, Susan, of Jacksonville, FL, and Nancy Ike and her husband, Steven, of Atlanta; seven grandchildren - Ryan Peacock, Danielle Peacock, Aubrey Peacock, Bailey Peacock, Salem Peacock, Greyson Ike and Amelia Ike; two brothers - Charles White Jr. of Greenville, NC, and George White and his wife, Llewjean, of High Point; and one sister, Anna Hayward of Asheville.

In addition to her parents, Charles and Nancy White, she was preceded in death by two sisters, Nancy "Teka" White and Elizabeth Clayton; brother Sam White; sisters-in-law Sara White and Colleen White; and brother-in-law Anthony Hayward. Barbara Peacock lived a life rich in the things that matter. She was a gifted watercolor artist, her vivid paintings hanging in the homes of friends and loved ones. Her beautiful voice touched all who were lucky enough to have heard it in song. She wrote devotionals and poetry, some of her poems featured in a book, "The Growing Edge." She and Ward loved to travel, including trips to Europe, Antarctica and the Canadian Rockies. In Israel, she and her friend, Kay Rice, entertained their tour group with vocal duets. She expressed her love of the arts by getting involved in cultural groups, first in Chattanooga and then the Charlotte area. There were golden memories of modeling the Hope Diamond while a senior at Salem College, spending time with the grandchildren, sharing her warmth and optimistic nature with everyone she met, and enjoying her final years with Ward and their many friends at the Aldersgate United Methodist retirement community. Hers was a life graced by God.

A service to celebrate Barbara's life will be at 2:00 p.m. Sunday, January 24, in the Francis Chapel of Myers Park United Methodist Church. Visitation will follow at the church. Instead of flowers, a gift in her memory can be made to the Fellowship Class Scholarship Fund at Myers Park United Methodist, 1501 Queens Road, Charlotte, NC 28207. 

Arrangements are in the care of Kenneth Poe Funeral & Cremation Services, 1321 Berkeley Ave Charlotte NC 28204. Phone: 704 641-7606