Katie (Halk) Peeler

Katie Peeler, 94 passed away peacefully on June 3, 2022. Katie grew up as an only child but spent many fun-filled days with her cousins in Cherokee NC, whom she considered her brothers and sisters. She moved to Gastonia NC, went to work for Firestone Textiles where she retired after 40 years. Katie was active at First Assembly Church for 50 years, teaching, singing solos, as well as singing in the choir. After retiring, Katie loved to travel with her senior group and volunteer at Gaston Memorial Hospital. Volunteering for 9 years, she was able to help and serve others as she had always dreamed of. She developed Alzheimer's at 86 and was taken care of by her sweet husband until his passing in 2020. Katie moved to a memory care facility on Hilton Head Island, SC after his passing. Her last years were filled with fun activities, and she could often be found helping others. She was even found at the bedside of someone passing, holding their hand.

At a very young age, she was taught by her Aunt Ellie that she was never alone, could talk to Jesus at any time, and He would always be with her. Jesus was her best friend and always close. One of her loved caretakers disclosed they often felt angels in her room. To know Katie was to love her. She was kind and gentle to all. She will be greatly missed.

On behalf of her family, we would like to extend a thank you to Crescent Hospice and to Harbor Cove Memory Care, Hilton Head Island, SC.

Katie leaves behind her children, Malinda Dietrich and her husband Richard of Hilton Head, SC, Freddie Earl Elkins, Jr. and his wife Rhonda of Boiling Springs, SC, and her half-brother, Billie Halk. Missing their grandmother are Matthew Elkins, Holly Mayne, Lindsay Parker, Chelsea Mayne, Amanda Elkins, and Isaac Mayne. She also leaves behind her four great-grandchildren - Anna, Nora, Milo, and Benedict.

Preceding Katie in death are her husband of 40+ years, JC Peeler, her parents, Francis Warren Lowe and James Carol Halk Sr., half-brother, Carl Halk Jr., and grandson Benjamin Elkins.

A Celebration of Katie’s life will be held at 3:00 PM on Saturday, June 11, 2022 at Carothers Funeral Home Chapel, 2205 Williamsburg Drive, Gastonia. The family will receive friends before the service beginning at 2:00 PM. Entombment and committal will follow the Celebration of Life Service at Mausoleum C in Gaston Memorial Park.

In lieu of flowers, Katie requested that donations be made to her beloved church’s building fund at the First Assembly Church Building Fund, 777 South Myrtle School Road, Gastonia, NC 28052.

The Staff of Carothers Funeral Home at Gaston Memorial Park is honored to serve the Peeler family.