Margaret Talley Lewis

Margaret “Peg” Talley Lewis sang and danced her way into Heaven on June 30, 2014. She was surrounded by her family as her 20 year battle with COPD came to an end. Her entire adult life was spent loving her husband, children, and grandchildren and setting an example for them to follow. Peg was born May 27, 1938 in Richmond, Virginia to William and Dorothy Talley. She was preceded in death by her parents; her daughter, Alice Peyton Lewis; her sister, Alice Talley Blake; and her brother, Waddey K. Talley. Peg is survived by her husband Ben Lewis, Jr., her brother William L. Talley, Jr., her children, her grandchildren, and numerous other family members. Her surviving children and their spouses are Pam Lewis, Susanne Taylor and her husband Cliff, Allison Dyer and her husband Curtis, Ben III and his wife Monica, and Melissa and her husband Steve. Surviving grandchildren include Sarah Baldwin, Scott Dyer, Emma Baldwin, Kathryn Baldwin, Lily Lewis, Crystin Taylor, Brenden Bishop, Benjamin Lewis, Logan Bishop, Parker Bishop, Noah Bishop, and Gabriel Lewis. Peg was an incredible wife and mother. She and Ben were married 55 years and still held hands and were very much in love. Her children remember seeing them sneaking kisses and dancing in the family room. By showing up for sporting events, music shows, dance recitals, horse shows, and other activities that her children or grandchildren participated in, Peg demonstrated just what a good mother should be. She led Girls Scout troops, participated in school carnivals, and looked for any and every avenue to contribute to both her family and her community. Although her daily actions were proof enough, Peg wanted to be sure that each person knew how much she loved them. She made “I love you” calls and texts to her family and constantly encouraged them to be the best. It was the moments, the decisions, and actions that she taught every day that made her children who they are today. Peg was full of life. Wherever she went, she made new friends and greeted everyone with a warm smile. She looked for the best in everyone and treated everyone with kindness and respect. Because she hoped to make the world a better place, Peg threw herself into a variety of activities that touched the lives of many. She volunteered in numerous organizations, started a Bible school, led the children’s choir, wrote songs and poems, and looked for ways to spread her happiness and love of God. One of Peg’s fondest memories was hearing one of her songs being sung by 500 children in church on a snowy day. Peg was diagnosed with COPD and emphysema 20 years ago. She fought each obstacle thrown at her with the strength, courage, and tenacity given to her by God. It was her faith in God that kept her going; no matter how difficult times became, she believed that God would not give her more than she could handle. She did not let her challenges stop her from seeing her children become parents and her grandchildren enjoy life. No matter how hard it was, she looked at others who were suffering and was thankful for her family and all the blessings that God had given her. Peg embodied God and lived her life to glorify Him every day. When she died, her son-in-law summed up Peg’s life by saying, “She prepared every day of her life for this.” Because her strength and devotion to God were unwavering even with the challenges that she faced, she is considered a saint by her son. Peg is making a great impression in Heaven, meeting new friends, playing with her puppies, and hugging her daughter, parents, brother, and sister. She is running free of her wheel chair and oxygen tanks, dancing in a big garden, and singing, “I love you a bushel and a peck, a bushel and peck and a hug around the neck.” A visitation will be held Thursday, July 3 from 5-7 with a rosary following at 7 P.M at Fitzgerald Southwood Colonial Chapel. A funeral mass will be held at St. Bernard of Clairvaux at 10 A.M. on Friday, July 4. A reception will be held at Fitzgerald's Southwood Colonial Chapel immediately following the mass. In lieu of flowers, Peg requested that donations be made to the American Lung Association.

Margaret Talley Lewis

May 27, 1938 - June 30, 2014