Peggy Louise Leonard Littrell

Peggy was born in Charlotte, North Carolina on February 24, 1935, to Adele and Loyd Leonard, but called Asheville, North Carolina home with her younger sister, Harriett. Faith and family were always important to Peggy. Traveling across North Carolina to Graham and Lexington to spend time with grandparents and cousins was a highlight of her childhood. Peggy’s love of music and singing began as a child. Singing in the church choir and listening to her aunt play the piano and sing on her porch for families and friends were always cherished childhood memories. Peggy’s love of Lexington BBQ also began at an early age – and yes, Lexington BBQ is the only real BBQ according to Peggy! Montreat, North Carolina was also a special place for this North Carolina native. First Presbyterian Church in Asheville forged lasting adventures of summertime fun in Montreat while staying at the Sally Campbell House. Her love of Montreat and the beautiful mountains of Western North Carolina continued throughout her adulthood and passed onto her children and grandchildren, reflecting the closest place to Heaven on Earth!

Peggy attended UNC Women’s College in Greensboro for a year and then transferred to High Point College in High Point, North Carolina where she met the love of her life, Frank Kerlee Littrell, Jr. After one year of dating, they married in September of 1955 and on the night of their wedding, drove from Asheville to Inglewood, California to start their beautiful life together. Peggy and Kerlee lived in California for 20 years where Michael Leonard and Laura Marie were born. After 20 years in California, it was time to move back to the east coast to be closer to family. Three years were spent in Brunswick, Georgia and in 1978 Kerlee’s job moved them to Stone Mountain, Georgia. In 1996, in an effort to return to North Carolina, Peggy, Kerlee and Michael moved to Raleigh to be closer to Laura and their first granddaughter, Jacqueline Reid and two and half years later, her second granddaughter, Stephanie Louise was born.

Peggy was a devoted wife of 67 years, mother and “Mema”. She taught preschool, played the guitar and auto harp, taught children’s choir, sang in the adult choir, volunteered with Cerebral Palsy events, was a Girl Scout leader, volunteered at her children’s and grandchildren’s school, was her granddaughers biggest cheerleader and was very active in each church along her journey. A hippie before her time, Mema always loved the outdoors as vacations were camping with the family and friends, exploring Cumberland Island, gardening and being one with nature whether it was sand dollar or shell hunting, just walking on the beach or daily trips to the lake to see God’s creation. Some of her many talents were creating masterpieces on the pottery wheel, spinning wool to make yarn, painting beautiful portraits, and sewing magnificent outfits without a pattern – a skill learned from her mother and passed onto her daughter and granddaughters. Quilting was her passion and she was chosen to make quilts for the host countries of the 1996 Atlanta Olympics. Her sewing and quilting skills will live on with Laura, Jacqueline and Stephanie as well as her love for cooking. Mema’s award-winning lemon poundcake (family recipe) will be carried on for generations to come, but without the touch of her hand, it will never be as good as when she made it!

Mema felt fortunate to touch many lives through her volunteer work and activities through the years. She quickly became everyone’s honorary Mema! She will be loved and missed by many and her smile will live on forever!

A Witness to the Resurrection service for Peggy will be held at White Memorial Presbyterian Church at 2:00 pm on Thursday, December 15, 2022. A reception will follow in the Jane Bell Gathering Space.

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made in memory of Peggy to White Memorial Presbyterian Church, Memorial Fund, 1704 Oberlin Road, Raleigh, NC 27608 or Transitions LifeCare, Philanthropy Dept, 250 Hospice Circle, Raleigh, NC 27607.