Mrs. Lillie Kate Howard Peacock
A celebration of life for Lillie Kate Howard Peacock, who died August 8, 2019, was held Saturday at New Prospect Liberty C.M.E. Church. Interment was in the church cemetery. Rev. Ricky Hammond, pastor of St. John C.M.E. Church officiated.
Lillie Kate Howard was welcomed into the world by her parents, Terrell Howard and Estelle Levette-Howard on January 31, 1919 in Eatonton. As the third child of seven, Lillie has always had a strong tie to her beloved family.
Lillie attended primary school at Prospect Liberty Church. She was an intelligent and smart student always ready for a challenge. Lillie not only learned to recite her letters of the alphabet forward but backwards as well. Lillie’s education advanced her in life, and her strong faith in God was the catalyst that allowed her to see five generations.
Lillie Kate united in holy matrimony with Howard Peacock in the late 1930s. Howard and Lillie enjoyed many years together. The Peacocks never met a stranger. If you came to their house, you were only a stranger for a few minutes. They welcomed and treated everyone like family.
If their southern hospitality did not make you feel at home, Lillie’s good cooking did. Howard and Lillie Peacock’s house was known as the “Big House.” It is where all the family gathered and had a good ole time. The country was summer camp for the grandchildren as they spent summers fishing, taking hay rides, listening to Lillie’s stories of her life and simply enjoying each other’s company.
Though faith, family and hard work was a part of her upbringing, it wasn’t until Lillie united with the Prospect Liberty C.M.E. Church in her early years that she put her faith into action. Although times were tough, and she had to ride a horse and buggy to church, she was determined to serve. Lillie worked and helped around the church wherever she was needed.
Lillie worked in the cotton fields many years until she started having children in her late 20s. After having her children, she became a housewife. She not only took care of her children but grand, great-grand, and great-great-grandchildren,.
Lillie loved flowers, fishing, sewing, cooking and raising animals. However her passion was helping others. Her life was as beautiful as the flowers she loved. Her influence will forever remain in the lives of all who knew and loved her.
She peacefully departed this life Thursday, August 8, 2019 at 1:15 a.m. after two years at the Traditions Health & Rehabilitation Center. People from near and far respected and loved Ms. Lillie.
She is preceded in death by husband, Howard Peacock; children, sons, Arthur and Donald Peacock; daughters, Ella Ruth Peacock; brothers, Elbert, Albert, Readie and Will Howard; Annie Carrie Maddox and Lois Jefferson.
She leaves to cherish her memory five children, Barbara Jean Johnson of Rutledge; Lillie Mae Peacock of Jackson, Annie Lois Stokes of Lithonia, Angie Lee Smith of Shady Dale and Linda Diane Horton of Covington; a sister-in-law, Adeline Catchings of Ft. Myers, Fla., two brothers-in-law, Floyd and Johnny Peacock of Ft. Myers, Fla., an aunt, Rosanell Howard (106 years old of Athens) oldest niece, Better Barber of Macon, oldest nephew, Eddie Marvin Howard of Monticello, 21 grandchildren, 51 great-grandchildren, and 26 great-great-grandchildren (totally 98 grand, great-grand, and great-great-grandchildren). In addition, a host of nephews, nieces, cousins and friends mourn the loss of this phenomenal woman.
Smith and Sons Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.