A private memorial service for family and close friends will be held at a later date with spreading of her ashes to be conducted in Bamberg and Alaska.
Peggy was born in Harnett County, NC, on November 2, 1939 to the late James Ross Hester and the late Lattie Ennis.
Peggy spent her early childhood traveling the country working in her step-father and mother’s, George and Lattie Topps, county fair, running concessions and games with her brother and sister. That was where she got her knack for working with the public and met her future husband, Jimmie Costner. Peggy and Jimmie left the fair and eloped because her family didn’t approve of her choice for a husband, and moved to New Orleans, LA, where they worked as a cook and waitress on Bourbon Street. But, Peggy was not yet ready to settle down, so they moved to Miami, FL, in 1961. In early 1962, Peggy and Jimmie started their journey north because their newborn son was allergic to palm trees, and ended up in a small town called “Bamberg.” In Bamberg, they rented a small shack and piece of land on Hwy 301 S and opened a fruit stand/market. Peggy’s Market was born! Peggy and Jimmie ran the market together until 1965, when Jimmie left Peggy and her two sons with nothing except for a car and $100. As a single mother, Peggy struggled during this timeframe to provide for her two boys, but she never gave up. She suffered through the unexpected loss of her youngest son, Danny Ray, in 1971. Afterwards, she devoted her efforts to raising her remaining son and running her business. Peggy continued to run Peggy’s Market until her retirement in 2005. During the 44 years she ran Peggy’s Market, she always made it a point to treat customers like she would want to be treated. In retirement, Peggy said that the things she missed most about the market were talking to customers and going to the farmers market.
She is survived by her son, John Costner and his wife, Sharon, of Bethune, SC; a grandson, Kevin Costner of Fairfax, VA; a brother, Kenneth Topps and his wife, Diane, of St. Matthews, SC; her best friend, Janie Banks of Bamberg, SC; and a whole bunch of friends. She was predeceased by her son, Danny Ray Costner, and sisters, Thelma Lee Baker and Doris Davis.
In lieu of flowers or memorials, just look up at the sky and say “You done good, Peggy.”
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