Obituary for Eugenia Ellen Ryburn (Gillespie)
WARNER ROBINS –
Eugenia “Jeanie” Gillespie Peavy Ryburn, 82, passed away peacefully on Thursday, February 13, 2020, after a lengthy and courageous battle with Alzheimer’s. Services will be held on Monday, February 17, 2020, in the Chapel at Watson-Hunt Funeral Home with the Visitation beginning at 1:00 p.m. and the Memorial Service beginning at 2:00 p.m. In lieu of flowers, the family respectfully requests memorial contributions to Alzheimer’s Association, 886 Mulberry Street, Macon, GA 31201.
Jeanie was born in Oklahoma to the late Jake and Edna Gillespie and grew up in nearby Ashland, Kansas. She graduated from high school there then moved to Colorado Springs, Colorado, attended and earned her degree from Business College. Jeanie moved to Long Beach, California, with her best friend to begin her working career, met and married Jake Peavy. After having two daughters, the couple returned to his home state of Georgia to be near his parents and bought a home in Perry, Georgia. She accepted a position with the Houston County Board of Education as the Superintendent’s Secretary. Jeanie loved Perry and soon became active in First Baptist Church keeping the nursery as needed and teaching G.A.’s/Girls in Action. She enjoyed all of the children and loved on them like they were hers. As her own children grew older and, as life would have it, the family divided. When The Vine Church was started, Jeanie moved her membership there, and enjoyed worshipping in a smaller, more intimate environment. Never having the intention to re-marry, Jeanie met David Ryburn and her mind was soon changed. The couple married in 1984 and settled in Warner Robins. When the opportunity presented itself at work, Jeanie transferred to the Health and Physical Education Department as their Administrative Assistant and years later retired after thirty-five years of service at the Central Office. Unexpectedly, as it always is, her memory began to fade, and she was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s, the cruel thief that gradually stole their mother, wife, grandmother, aunt, and friend. Even through the peaks and valleys, Jeanie remained compassionate and happy until the end. She was preceded in death by her parents; her brother, Robert Gillespie; and her sister, Billie Gillespie Lewis.
Left to cherish the memories they made with Jeanie are her loving husband of thirty-six years, David Ryburn of Warner Robins; her devoted daughters, Cindy Peavy Collier (Bennie) of Perry, Lisa Peavy O’Neal (O’Malley) of Naples, Florida, Sherri Peavy of Macon, Jerry Ryburn, Loren Ryburn, and Jeff Ryburn; eight grandchildren; nine great-grandchildren; and many nieces, nephews, great-nieces, and great-nephews that she dearly loved as if they were her own.
With honor, Burpee-Scott Memorial Chapel & Crematory has been entrusted with arrangements.
Eugenia “Jeanie” Gillespie Peavy Ryburn, 82, passed away peacefully on Thursday, February 13, 2020, after a lengthy and courageous battle with Alzheimer’s. Services will be held on Monday, February 17, 2020, in the Chapel at Watson-Hunt Funeral Home with the Visitation beginning at 1:00 p.m. and the Memorial Service beginning at 2:00 p.m. In lieu of flowers, the family respectfully requests memorial contributions to Alzheimer’s Association, 886 Mulberry Street, Macon, GA 31201.
Jeanie was born in Oklahoma to the late Jake and Edna Gillespie and grew up in nearby Ashland, Kansas. She graduated from high school there then moved to Colorado Springs, Colorado, attended and earned her degree from Business College. Jeanie moved to Long Beach, California, with her best friend to begin her working career, met and married Jake Peavy. After having two daughters, the couple returned to his home state of Georgia to be near his parents and bought a home in Perry, Georgia. She accepted a position with the Houston County Board of Education as the Superintendent’s Secretary. Jeanie loved Perry and soon became active in First Baptist Church keeping the nursery as needed and teaching G.A.’s/Girls in Action. She enjoyed all of the children and loved on them like they were hers. As her own children grew older and, as life would have it, the family divided. When The Vine Church was started, Jeanie moved her membership there, and enjoyed worshipping in a smaller, more intimate environment. Never having the intention to re-marry, Jeanie met David Ryburn and her mind was soon changed. The couple married in 1984 and settled in Warner Robins. When the opportunity presented itself at work, Jeanie transferred to the Health and Physical Education Department as their Administrative Assistant and years later retired after thirty-five years of service at the Central Office. Unexpectedly, as it always is, her memory began to fade, and she was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s, the cruel thief that gradually stole their mother, wife, grandmother, aunt, and friend. Even through the peaks and valleys, Jeanie remained compassionate and happy until the end. She was preceded in death by her parents; her brother, Robert Gillespie; and her sister, Billie Gillespie Lewis.
Left to cherish the memories they made with Jeanie are her loving husband of thirty-six years, David Ryburn of Warner Robins; her devoted daughters, Cindy Peavy Collier (Bennie) of Perry, Lisa Peavy O’Neal (O’Malley) of Naples, Florida, Sherri Peavy of Macon, Jerry Ryburn, Loren Ryburn, and Jeff Ryburn; eight grandchildren; nine great-grandchildren; and many nieces, nephews, great-nieces, and great-nephews that she dearly loved as if they were her own.
With honor, Burpee-Scott Memorial Chapel & Crematory has been entrusted with arrangements.