How do I share a memory of my beautiful sister? There are so many! As children, we played Parcheesi or sat on the floor and played jacks (and boy, was she good at that!). Even at a young age, she was a planner - when Mother (Martha Cain) turned 40, it was Peggy with the help of some of Mother's friends who planned a big birthday party for Mother, and for a birthday present she bought mother a forest green print dress with a hat and gloves to match (hey, it was 1960, remember, when hats were worn).
As we grew up, she had a job at C&S bank on Mitchell Street, a school work program when she went to school half a day and then went to work at the bank. She loved it! And she was so kind in sharing her pay by bringing home Rich's divinity or fudge, and another time, a delicious rum cake from Rich's. That's more than likely when she became so greatly interested in cooking, but the cooking came later after she married Eddie in 1969 and they got their first apartment on Confederate Avenue in Atlanta.
Peggy was an amazing sister and she could love like no other. Don't get me wrong, she was not perfect nor would i want to have perfect memories of her. Sometimes we mixed like peaches and cream, and other times while growing up, like skin and barbed wire!
One memory I have of Peggy is that after we got a hand me down piano, I'd try to teach myself to play something and she'd yell from her room "stop banging on that piano!". Yet, one day, she came home and handed me a sheet of music - "Whispering Hope", and asked me to play it. I did, and she sang it in her beautiful clear, sweet soprano voice. Never had I been more proud to do anything for my sister.
But then another moment of greater pride came.
When I had my son in March, 1972, Peggy was pregnant with her child. Eddie, of course, said that his child would be a son or he'd send it back. They came over to meet Jamie, and Peggy, very heavily pregnant, sat down on the couch and I handed her my baby, bursting with pride as she held the smallest baby she'd ever held. I told her soon she'd be holding her own baby and I couldn't wait for her to feel the same joy. And so, a month later, she had..........wait for it, a little girl. Do you think Eddie sent her back? Oh, no, because never on the face of the earth had a tiny, soft, pink infant baby girl ever impacted the heart and life and love of her strong, wonderful father. From the moment of birth, and of course long before, Eddie loved that little girl, his Sheri Lynn, with all his heart as did Peggy. And me -well, I was bursting with pride to see that tiny little thing in her mother's arms.
Sheri, you are so deeply loved. The love of yoru parents is eternal and they are with you, your mother is with you, every step for the rest of your life, I promise you. Love like hers for you, like your daddy's for you, does not ever fade.
God is with you, each of you, and know that if you somehow feel you can't talk, He is there, holding your heart in His Hand, loving you eternally.
I grieve deeply for my sister but my wonderful pastor taught me - REJOICE! SHE IS HOME! She could not be happier. She and your dad are dancing, running, rejoicing in Heaven. You will see them again.
With all my heart I love you, Sheri, Elizabeth,Kevin and all of us who grieve for Peggy.
During this time, let's celebrate Peggy's life and the joy that she brought to so many. God be with you all with my love.
Alice Jeanne Cain Brewer Coble
