Born Helen Rebecca Savell in Haleburg, AL, on Jan. 24, 1921, she was the daughter of the late James Lawson Savell and Kittie Lafayette Penuel Savell. One of nine children she was preceded in death by her four sisters and four brothers. She passed away peacefully in her sleep on June 27 at Homestead Village where she resided for the past four years.
She spent much of her youth with her late aunt and uncle, Ida and George Gilbert, in Columbia, AL. "Becky" Savell graduated from Columbia High School, Columbia, AL in 1940. In March of 1941 she married Thomas Delos Peets Jr. They had one son, Thomas Lawson Peets born in November 1942. They divorced in 1948.
In June 1950 she married Thomas Callia in New Orleans, LA. He had two children Tommy Alex Callia and Lois Callia who along with "Little Tommy" Peets became a blended family. Then known as "Peggy" Callia she always said she raised three children. Thomas Callia died in October 1965. She remained a part of the Callia family the rest of her life. Tommy Alex Callia died in 2001 and Lois Callia Benitez died in 2009.
In 1968 she married Joseph Secrest. In 1972 they settled in Pensacola, FL. where they operated The Creighton Mart until retiring in 1986. "Peggy" Secrest was active for many years in the Shimron Temple Daughters of the Nile. She served as queen from 1979-1980 and was a long time member of Cokesbury UMC. Joe Secrest was killed in a road side accident in December 2003.
She is survived by one son Thomas Lawson Peets and his wife Tavara M. Peets; her sister-in-law Eloise Savell; her daughter-in-law Esther Callia and her son-in-law Jesse Benitez. She has eight grandchildren Catherine Callia, Thomas Callia, Susan Callia, Vickie Haines, Anthony Stockfleth, Tracy Urbin, Laura Peets and Robert Peets. She also has eleven great-grandchildren and two great-great grandchildren. In addition she is survived by many cousins, nieces and nephews.
Services will be held at Eastern Gate Memorial Gardens on Nine Mile Road. Visitation will be Friday from 5 to 7 PM and on Saturday from 10 to 11 AM. The memorial service will begin at 11 AM Saturday conducted by Rev. Connie Ragghianti of Cokesbury UMC. Pall bearers are Tom Callia, Tony Callia, Robert Peets, Bill May, Tim Savell and Jacob Peets. Honorary pall bearers are Dr. George Gilbert Jr., Anthony Stockfleth and Laura Clippard. She will be buried at Eastern Gate following the service.
Many thanks to the staff at Homestead Village for the wonderful care they gave her. In lieu of flowers please make a donation in the name of Rebecca Secrest to Regency Hospice 4900 Bayou Blvd Suite 101 Pensacola, FL 32503
Arrangements under the direction of Eastern Gate Memorial Funeral Home, Pensacola, FL.
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