GEORGE R. PEAY

LUGOFF - George Richard Peay, 77, departed this life on Monday, Nov. 5, 2018, in Queens, New York. Born Oct. 12, 1941, in Kershaw County, he was the youngest child of the late Willie and Mattie Lee Hollis Peay. He attended the public schools of Kershaw County. The Peay family grew up singing gospel music. They were all talented and gifted with beautiful voices. Richard delighted in traveling the road with his brother, Brook Benton, in the entertainment world and eventually shadowed his siblings and moved to New York City, New York.

He was employed as a custodian for the Queens County Courthouse and retired early due to heart complications. Despite several operations and health concerns, he did not allow this to obscure his character.

He leaves to cherish his memories his sisters, Ellen Ruth Springer of New York, Lillian Massey of Lugoff and Dorothy Peay of Alabama; two daughters, Mary Carter Nixon of Lugoff and Thomasha Simmons (John) of North Carolina; six grandchildren; four great-grandchildren; a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.

The family is receiving relatives and friends at the home, 215 Ward Road, Lugoff.

Funeral services will be held today at 1 p.m. from the Unity United Methodist Baptist Church, Lugoff.

The remains will be placed in the church at noon.

The funeral procession will leave from the home at 12:20 p.m.

Burial will be in the Ephesus United Methodist Church Cemetery, Lugoff.

These services have been entrusted to the management and staff of Williams Funeral Home Inc., 821 N. Main St., Sumter.

Online memorial messages may be sent to the family at williamsfuneralhome@sc.rr.com.

Visit us on the web, www.williamsfuneralhomeinc.com.