Mary Wheeler Peele

Mary was born in 1945 in Brooklyn, N.Y., to the late Joe Louis Wheeler, Jr. and Bernardine M. Wheeler. Mary's father was in the Navy and she spent her childhood in Norfolk, Va., San Diego, Calif., and Honolulu, Hawaii. After graduating from Radford High School in Honolulu she moved to Wilson, N.C., where she attended Atlantic Christian College. She married the late Robert L. Peele of Rocky Mount in 1967, and moved to Raleigh in 1971.

That same year she was hired at BB&T, where she would work for 39 years. She went back to school in her late 30's while raising two children and working full-time, earning a bachelor's degree from Atlantic Christian in 1985. She later took a job with BB&T Insurance Services, eventually rising to become Treasurer of that company. Her dedication, tirelessness and good humor were an inspiration to her colleagues, who knew her affectionately as "Marge Pub."

Among the many things Mary loved were beach trips, her daily walks with friends, the Carolina Hurricanes, and spending time with her grandchildren. She will be remembered as a wonderful mother and grandmother, devoted sister and daughter, beloved friend and colleague, and for her boundless generosity towards all.

She is survived by her mother, Bernardine M. Wheeler of Raleigh; sister Patricia W. Shaw and husband Dennis of Raleigh; brother Michael W. Wheeler and wife Kay of Elm City; her sons Robert G. Peele and wife Sarah of Brooklyn, N.Y., and Christopher M. Peele and wife Beth of Cary; her grandsons Ayden and Owen and granddaughter Eliza.

The family will receive visitors on Friday, December 21 from 7:00-9:00pm at Brown-Wynne Funeral Home, 300 Saint Mary's Street in Raleigh.

A memorial service and celebration of her life is being planned for January.

Donations can be made in her memory to Hospice of Wake County, www.hospiceofwake.org.