Geraldine Peyton

Ruth Geraldine Robinson Peyton died Thursday, March 8, 2007, at Haywood Regional Medical Center after a lengthy period of declining health. Born on February 17, 1919, she was the daughter of the late Gurley Glenn and Elsie Elizabeth Byers Robinson. She was the wife of the late Preston Carlton Peyton, who died March 14, 2002. They had been married nearly 60 years at the time of his death. Mrs. Peyton was a graduate of Lee H. Edwards High School in Asheville, Blanton's Business College, and Mars Hill College. Until her retirement in 1979, she had been employed as an art consultant and teacher in the Haywood County School System. Prior to that, she had been employed through the Smoky Mountain Cultural Arts Development Association. She was a long-time member of St. Andrew's Episcopal Church, as well as the Canton Garden Club, Blue Ridge Doll Study Club, and The Midnighters' Bridge Club. Surviving are her daughters, Geraldine (Gerri) Byers Peyton Staley, and her husband, Steven, of Canton; Anne Preston Peyton, also of Canton; her son, Preston Carlton Peyton and his wife, Kathy, of Plano, Texas and Lake Junaluska. She is also survived by her two sisters, Betty R. Frazier of Franklin and Margaret R. Reno of Canton. Mrs. Peyton's grandchildren also survive her. They are: Elizabeth S. Gayan, and her husband, Kyle, of Boston, MA, Stephanie Peyton Staley of Canton, and Laura Catherine Staley, also of Canton; Kathryn Anne Horton of Asheville; Jason Cooper of Plano, Texas, and Andrew Peyton of Collegedale, TN; as well as three great-grandchildren, Michael, Matthew, and Miranda Gayan of Boston, MA. She is also survived by a number of cousins, nieces, and nephews. A graveside service will be held at 4:30 p.m. on Sunday, March 11, 2007, at Bon-A-Venture Cemetery, Old Clyde Road with Father Tim McRee officiating. The family will receive friends from 3:00 until 4:00 p.m. prior to the service at Wells Funeral Home of Canton. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Haywood County Schools Foundation (Needy Children's Fund), 1230 N. Main Street, Waynesville, NC 28786, or to the Haywood County Rescue Squad, P. O. Box 1275, Canton, NC 28716, or to St. Andrew's Episcopal Church, 99 Academy Street, Canton, NC 28716.

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