Mary Reynolds Bradshaw Peacock

Mary Reynolds Bradshaw Peacock, 99, of Greensboro and formerly of Raleigh, died Friday, December 11, 2015. Born to the late Dr. Thomas Gavin Bradshaw and Julia Southall Reynolds Bradshaw in Windsor, Virginia, on March 29, 1916, Mary Reynolds spent most of her childhood in Rock Ridge, North Carolina. She graduated from Rock Ridge School in 1932. A 1936 graduate of Woman’s College (now UNC-G), she was inducted into Phi Beta Kappa. Mary Reynolds taught high school until her marriage to Lucian Allen Peacock on June 8, 1940. She devoted her life to being a full-time homemaker, wife and mother until 1965, when her youngest child left home. Returning to school as a graduate student, Mary Reynolds earned a Master of Arts degree in English from NCSU in 1970. She then worked until her retirement in 1981 as an editor in the publications division of North Carolina’s Department of Archives and History. She enjoyed her work, which included editing North Carolina governors’ papers and revising a book, Silversmiths of North Carolina 1696-1860, a subject about which she was considered an expert.

Edenton Street United Methodist Church played an important role in Mary Reynolds’ life. She participated in United Methodist Women’s circles, and she and her husband were members of the Fidelis Sunday school class, in which she served in various leadership positions and often taught the lessons. Mary Reynolds loved to be active, and she found many outlets for her energy. In addition to church activities, she was a member of the Raleigh Woman’s Club and the Fireside Book Club. At home she was an accomplished cook, seamstress, and gardener. She also enjoyed playing the piano.

Mary Reynolds was “Mimi” to eight grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren. She never forgot a birthday, and all enjoyed receiving an occasional note from “Kit Cardinal,” who somehow managed to see everything everywhere.

Mary Reynolds was predeceased by her parents, her husband, Lucian Allen Peacock, son, Lucian Allen Peacock, Jr., and daughter, Mary Reynolds “Rennie” Peacock Beyer. She was also predeceased by her sister, Lillie Bradshaw Little, and brothers, Thomas Gavin Bradshaw, Jr. and William “Bill” Southall Bradshaw.

She is survived by her daughter, Anne Peacock DiPiazza of Colfax, NC; sister, Julia Bradshaw Brazelton of Dallas, TX; sister-in-law Marie Bradshaw of Simms, NC; daughter-in-law Virginia “Jinkie” Addington Peacock of Bluefield, WV; and son-in-law Fred Beyer, Jr. of Fayetteville, NC. Also left to cherish her memory are grandchildren Amy Peacock Trojanowski (Brian) of Kennett Square, PA; Catherine Peacock Finch (Marc) of Raleigh; Allen Peacock III of Richmond, VA; Rick Beyer (Kristi Kiick) of Rising Sun, MD; Julie Beyer Harrison (Steve) of Clinton, NC; Anthony DiPiazza of Greensboro; Chris DiPiazza of Charlotte; and Danielle DiPiazza, also of Charlotte. Mary Reynolds was the proud great-grandmother of Tanner, William, and Adam Trojanowski, Brandon and Hayden Finch, Sam and Sarah Harrison, and Yegor and Kostya Beyer-Kiick. She was a loving aunt to numerous nieces and nephews.

A celebration of Mary Reynolds Peacock’s life will be held at Edenton Street United Methodist Church at 2 pm on Monday, December 14, 2015. A visitation will be held prior to the service from 1-2 pm, in the church library. Burial will be at Montlawn Memorial Park following the service.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests that memorials may be made to Edenton Street United Methodist Church, 228 West Edenton Street, Raleigh, NC 27603.

The family would also like to thank the staffs of Brighton Gardens of Greensboro and Clapp’s Nursing Center of Pleasant Garden for their compassionate care of our loved one.

Arrangements by Brown-Wynne Funeral Home, 300 Saint Mary's St. Raleigh.