Peggy Joyce Atkinson Lawson

Peggy Joyce Atkinson Lawson passed away on October 3, 2023.  Peggy was born August 8, 1937, in Rockingham, NC to Mable Lewis and Daniel Atkinson, Sr. Her family moved to Winston-Salem when she was a young girl and spent the rest of her life in Winston -Salem. She was a 1955 graduate of Gray High School. Upon graduation, she worked as a secretary for several law firms throughout her early career. She eventually went to work at RJ Reynolds as an executive secretary and worked for nineteen years before her retirement in 1997.

She is preceded in death by her husband, Carl Davis Lawson; two sisters, Betty Moser and Vickie Rich; and one brother, John Atkinson, Sr.

She is survived by son, Mark Lawson (Jan) of Denver, NC;  daughter, Leah Roberts (Greg) of Wake Forest, NC; and son, Tim Lawson (Jennifer) of Winston-Salem, NC; seven grandchildren: Christopher Lawson of Jacksonville, FL; Rance Roberts of Dickinson, ND; Matthew Lawson (Fiona) of Charlotte, NC; Sara Lawson of Charlotte, NC; Jack Lawson of Boone, NC; Carlee Roberts of Wake Forest, NC;  Sam Lawson of Winston-Salem, NC; sister Shirley Atkinson of Winston-Salem, NC; brother Daniel Atkinson, Jr of Conway, SC; sisters-in-law Margaret Lawson Wood (Willard) of Jackson, MS; Judy Atkinson of Wilmington, NC;  brother-in-law Richard Moser of Raleigh, NC; and many nephews and nieces.

Peggy met her husband, Carl, on a blind date where they played Putt Putt. They married two years later, on Thanksgiving Day in 1956. Carl and Peggy had been married for thirty-seven years.  Together they raised three children and instilled the importance of education and the value of a strong work ethic.  All three children graduated from Appalachian State University, and she was thrilled when one of the grandchildren decided to attend Appalachian State University.

She was a beloved wife, mother, grandmother, sister, and aunt. Her grandchildren will miss their grandma greatly but are all thankful for the impact she had on each of their lives. Peggy's life centered around her family and church.

She was an athlete and a sports enthusiast. In high school she was a cheerleader and played basketball. She was an avid Demon Deacon fan from the days of when her husband attended Wake Forest University. She loved ACC basketball and would spend many Saturdays cheering on her Demon Deacons. She spent much of her time cheering on her children at South Little League and Tiny Greyhounds. She continued to cheer on her grandchildren in their respected sports.  She loved the New England Patriots and Tom Brady football.  Her years of working at RJ Reynolds only strengthened her love of NASCAR and Jeff Gordon racing.

Peggy loved the Lord and was a lifelong Moravian.  Peggy began her journey in the Moravian church at Trinity Moravian and found her home church at Friedberg Moravian. She was active in the Women’s Fellowship, Senior Friends, and helping with the fall Chicken Pie suppers.  Peggy loved sharing the traditions of the church with her children and grandchildren.  One of Peggy’s favorite traditions was the candle trimming for Christmas Eve Love feast.  She enjoyed sharing the tradition and took her daughter, daughter-in-law, and granddaughter.  She was proud of being a diener and was able to serve in many love feasts before her health deteriorated. 

Peggy enjoyed going to the movies with her sisters or her Senior Friends from church.  She enjoyed spending time with her family at home or on trips to the beach and lake. Every birthday celebration included a Dewey’s birthday cake, vanilla ice cream, and Planters peanuts.  But she was also happy to just sit and spend time with you, even if it was just quietly sitting with her watching the Hallmark Channel. She often kept a calendar where she wrote down the birthdays of everyone she knew and cared about. She would also keep track of when anyone would come to visit her. To her, those simple visits were events to cherish. Most of all, she enjoyed spending meaningful time with her beloved family and friends.

A Funeral service will be conducted at 2:00 pm on Saturday, October 14, 2023, at Hayworth-Miller Silas Creek Chapel. The family will receive friends and family one hour prior to the service. Burial will immediately follow at Friedberg Moravian Church, Friedberg Church Road, Winston-Salem, NC.

The family would like to express their gratitude to Brookstone of Clemmons for their exceptional care of Peggy. They would also like to extend their appreciation to Well Care Hospice for their compassionate care.

In lieu of flowers, the family ask for donations in Peggy’s memory to be made to the Women’s Fellowship at Friedberg Moravian Church.