Nancy Dell Barre Peacock

COLUMBIA - Nancy Barre Peacock peacefully departed from us on the eve of Christmas after a brave multi-year battle with cancer. Nancy was an autumn baby, coming among us Oct. 1, 1946, the daughter of Iradell Jones "Pete" Barre and Sagaret Pratt Barre of Columbia. Nancy liked to say that she grew up in a gas station, the one her father owned and operated for decades in the Olympia neighborhood. The station was a place where Nancy always said some of her best and dearest friendships were forged. But while those friendships were wonderful, and she had the bubbly, outgoing personality to make friends easily, there was something more important to her. Nancy always said that the most cherished of all her passions was her feeling for family. While growing up, in that Olympia gas station, summers were spent in Lexington County with her cousins, the Stoudemires on Lake Murray. There, she became an accomplished water skier, boater, and fisherman. Propelled by the bright energy that so imbued her and which never deserted her until the very last, young Nancy, was often the ringleader of many a late-night pillow fight. After her graduation from Columbia's University High, like many of her time, Nancy went to work. She both started and ended her career with the Woody Stoudemire Company. For 52 years she worked there steadily, rising to become the company's office manager as well as co-owner in the firm. In 1968, Nancy began her own family. She wed Robert F. Peacock at her church, Christ the King Lutheran, where she would be nourished spiritually for the rest of her life. Among its members she found many loving and caring people whose support was a foundation of her faith. In turn, she felt privileged to be able to help her church in many ways, including serving on Church Council and many committees including Hospitality, Youth, Call, and Anniversary Committees. During this time, they welcomed into the world their two wonderful children, Bob and Katie, whom she loved beyond measure. As she and Bobby went down the road of life together, they had many adventures. They traveled to the far corners of the Earth and everywhere in between. Most memorable was an excursion to Wyoming just this past summer, with her “three boys”. That turned out to be her best adventure and last on Earth. Nancy and Bobby gave back to her old neighborhood and other spots in Columbia. Together they renovated numerous old homes in Olympia and Eau Claire, preserving the heritage of the century old homes. On her own, Nancy's prodigious energy found outlets in assembling a vast collection of Coca-Cola memorabilia, looking after a multitude of plants that were lucky enough to find long-term shelter in her care, transforming wild grasses, weeds and vines into striking works of floral art, and finding success in unlocking the secrets to creating the perfect world-class lemon meringue pie. Her other passions were her antique club and the Red Hat Society, where she served in leadership roles and made so many lasting and dear friendships. For those who knew her, there is one unforgettable fact that she leaves behind for them to remember as she begins her greatest journey, the one through the Gates of Heaven… that she was the positive and driving force behind any endeavor she lent herself to. And that, most of all, included people. Nancy lived out her personal motto, each and every day, even until the end: “If you see someone without a smile, give them one of yours.” Left to carry on without Nancy are her loving husband, faithful companion, and best friend for 47 years, Robert F. (“Bobby”), Peacock, Sr. her son, Robert F. (“Bob”) Jr., and his son, Robert F. (“Frank”) III, Nancy's grandson and the light within her universe and Frank's mother, Courtney Wolf. There too are her special cousins, George and Thom Stoudemire and Thom's wife, Janice, Anne Roof, Jimmy Pratt (Susan), Gilbert Pratt (Sherry), Douglas Pratt (Sharon), Ann Pratt, Barbara Bowers, as well as her brothers-in-law Jerry Peacock (Gail), Wayne Peacock (Mary) and Sammy Peacock. Also, her extended family– Sherrin Russell and the entire Padget family. Going on before Nancy and awaiting her now are her parents; a brother, Johnny Kirby Barre; and Kathryn "Katie" Peacock, Nancy's precious little girl. Nancy looked forward to once again being able to share with her daughter that big, special hug that always was so much a part of the love they knew together. With Nancy’s passing, the family has so many they would like to thank for helping them during this difficult time: Dr. Jimmy Williams and his wonderful staff, the dedicated members of the South Hampton Family Practice, the congregation of Christ the King Lutheran Church who never forgot about her, the staff at Amedisys, and most importantly, the compassionate angels, sent by God to care for, nourish and love her unconditionally: Judy Coates, Martha Jones, Jan Plowden, and Kathy Roberts. The Lord gave Nancy a heavy burden to bear and they made it so much easier for her to carry. Visitation will be Sunday, December 27 from 3:00 - 5:00 pm at the Devine Street Chapel of Dunbar Funeral Home. Funeral services will be 11:00 am Monday, December 28 at Christ the King Lutheran Church conducted by the Revs. Luther Swicegood, who married Nancy and Bobby, and Mark Beckham, followed by an interment service at Greenlawn Memorial Gardens. Memorials may be made to Christ the King Lutheran Church or a charity of your choice. For those who knew Nancy and witnessed her many acts of kindness and love, she will be dearly missed. The world will be a far lesser place without her.