Peggy Starnes Beal

BEAL, PEGGY STARNES Peggy Starnes Beal entered eternity on Friday, March 30, 2012. Born on May 5, 1927 in Tuscaloosa, Alabama, she was the only child of Alma Veal Lee and William Butler Lee. She was educated in the Tuscaloosa public school system, graduating from high school in 1944. In the fall of that year she entered Judson College and later The University of Alabama to pursue her dream of becoming a schoolteacher. Graduating from The University in 1948, she embarked on a career as an educator which spanned four decades. She taught elementary and secondary education in Tuscaloosa, Oneonta, and Birmingham. For the final 20 years of her career she served as the third grade teacher at Highlands Day School, a private school located in Jefferson County. Known to hundreds of third graders as "Miss Peggy", she had a significant and lasting impact on the lives of her students. In 1947 Peggy married Stancil R. Starnes of Guntersville while both were students at The University. Following his graduation from law school they lived in Oneonta and then Birmingham. Stan and Peggy moved to Lake Logan Martin where they enjoyed lake life until his death in 1983. Three children, Stan, Nanci, and Jim were born of this marriage. Peggy's children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren were her life. Peggy married Ed Beal following Stan's death and they too lived at Lake Logan Martin, actively travelling around the world and the Alabama Seniors Golf Circuit. Ed and Peggy enjoyed their retirement years to the fullest. They were actively involved with St. Simon Peter Episcopal Church in Pell City and the Alabama Cursillo movement. Ed died in 2003. Peggy, of "Mimi" as she was know to her beloved grandchildren and great grandchildren, moved back to Tuscaloosa in 2006 and remained there for the remainder of her life. As always, she enthusiastically pursued her life's passions: family, church, her many bridge groups and the University of Alabama athletics. After returning to Tuscaloosa, she became quite active in and devoted to Christ Church, where she became a graduate of the Community of Hope and spent her final years immersing herself in service to others. A person of unwavering faith, she lived a life that will serve as a source of abiding inspiration to her family forever. Peggy is survived by her three children, Stan (Joan) of Birmingham, Nanci (Harris) of Tuscaloosa, and Jim (Liz) of Cropwell; seven grandchildren and 6 great grandchildren; J.T. Thompson (Garner) and their children, Whatley and Liza; Amanda Welden (Joseph) and their children, Ward and Graham; Will Starnes (Stefanie); Jennifer Melton (Richard) and their children, Lee Miller and Virginia; Harris Stewart (Cheri); Luke Starnes (Mo); and Maggie Rose Starnes. She is also survived by her first cousins, Mary Sue Sewell Parnell and Dr. Jimmy Sewell. Following a private family burial in Birmingham a service celebrating the life of Peggy will be held on Monday, April 2, 2012 at 2:00 P.M. at Christ Episcopal Church, Tuscaloosa. The family suggests that in lieu of flowers memorials be directed to Christ Episcopal Church, 605 Lurleen Wallace Boulevard, North, Tuscaloosa, Alabama 35401 or the charity of your choice . >>