Obituaries

Mavis Stroud Peters

Funeral service for Mrs. Mavis Stroud Peters, 97, of Alexander City, was Monday, September 21, 2026, at the Chapel of Radney Funeral Home. Rev. Russell DeLee officiated. Burial followed in the Alexander City Cemetery.
Mrs. Mavis Stroud Peters, known lovingly to family and friends as Mavis, passed from this life on September 18, 2026, in Alexander City, at the age of 97, leaving behind a legacy of faith, creativity, kindness, and steadfast love. She was an active member of Orr Street Baptist Church.
Born on May 26, 1929, in Tallapoosa County to Walter Jackson Stroud and Leila Fannie Turner Stroud, Mavis came into this world with a spirit that would one day brighten every room she entered. She lived a long and meaningful life, and she carried herself with the quiet strength of someone who understood that a good life is built one faithful day at a time. She was a Christian woman whose life reflected devotion, perseverance and gratitude. She was the kind of woman who did not simply speak about love, but lived it in practical, beautiful ways that others could see and feel.
Mavis was a woman of remarkable gifts and steady purpose. She loved quilting, embroidering, gardening, and cooking cakes, and in each of these pursuits she showed the world her creative spirit. Her hands were often busy making something useful, lovely, and comforting, and her heart was always present in what she created. She had a way of turning ordinary moments into treasured memories, and she found joy in the simple blessings of home, family, and fellowship. Those who knew her best will remember that she was creative, spirited, and friendly, a woman whose presence encouraged others to slow down, smile, and appreciate the goodness of life.
Her family was the center of her heart, and she treasured every opportunity to spend time with them. She is survived by her son, Danny V. Peters and his wife, Grethel; her son, Randall G. Peters; her daughter, Carolyn Hubbard of Chelsea; and her daughter, Kimberly J. Peters. She also leaves behind 10 grandchildren and 18 great-grandchildren, each of whom carries forward a part of her story, her strength, and her love. Through them, her influence continues, and her example remains alive in the generations that follow.
Mavis was preceded in death by many loved ones who welcomed her into eternity. She was preceded in death by her father, Walter Jackson Stroud; her mother, Leila Fannie Stroud; her husband, Veston Larkus Peters; her brother, Luther Stroud; her sister, Gladys Colley; her sister, Louise Reeves; her brother, Howard Stroud; her brother, Jackie Stroud; her brother, Leon Stroud; her sister, Clara Speak; and her sister, Bernice Bice. Though their earthly journeys have ended, their memories remain woven into the fabric of her life and into the hearts of those who loved them all.
Her faith was not something she kept to herself, but something she shared through her devotion to the church and the way she lived among others. She loved her church, Orr Street Baptist Church, and she also loved her second church, Kellyton Baptist Church. These places were more than buildings to her. They were spiritual homes where she worshiped, served, and found strength. Her Christian faith gave shape to her days and comfort to her soul, and it is clear that her life was anchored in trust, hope, and grace.
Mavis lived in a way that reminds us all that a meaningful life does not require loudness or fame. It requires love, consistency, courage, and a heart willing to bless others. She showed that a woman can be gentle and strong at the same time. She showed that creativity is a gift that can bring joy to a family and beauty to a community. She showed that being friendly is not a small thing, but a powerful way of making others feel seen and valued. She showed that a life rooted in faith can shine brightly for nearly a century and still leave the world better than it was before.
As we remember Mrs. Mavis Stroud Peters, let us not only grieve her passing, but also honor the life she lived with purpose and grace. Let us remember her warm smile, her loving hands, her faithful heart, and her ability to make others feel at home. Let us celebrate the fact that she lived long enough to pour into many lives and to leave behind a legacy that will continue to speak for her. Her journey on earth has ended, but the impact of her life remains. Her family, her church family, and all who knew her will carry her memory with gratitude and love.
Memories and condolences may be shared at www.radneyfuneralhome.com.

Peggy Ann Rooks

Graveside service for Mrs. Peggy Ann Rooks, 68, of Kellyton, was Monday, September 21, 2026, at the Kellyton Memory Gardens. Brother Brendan Chance will officiated.
Mrs. Peggy Ann Rooks, lovingly known as Peggy, passed from this life on September 18, 2026, in Alexander City at the age of 68, leaving behind a legacy of faith, devotion, and love that will continue to inspire all who knew her. She was an active member of Alex City Church of Christ.
Born on April 10, 1958, in Fort Lenningwood, Missouri, to James Ralph Gillenwaters and Lois Maureen Miller Gillenwaters, Peggy carried the kind of spirit that could brighten a room and steady a heart. She lived her life with purpose, grace, and a deep commitment to the people she loved. Her journey was marked by kindness, strength, and a steadfast Christian faith that guided her through every season of life. She was the kind of woman who understood that the way we live matters, and she chose each day to live with compassion, encouragement, and gratitude.
Peggy was a loving wife, a devoted mother, a proud grandmother, and a treasured great-grandmother. She is survived by her husband, Charles Rooks; her son, Jason Allen Coker and his wife, Jennifer Lynn; her granddaughter, Jillian Hope Thornton; her great-grandchild, Bentley Rathers; her great-grandson, Noah Bowen; and her brother, Charles Gillenwaters and his wife, Cindy. She was preceded in death by her father, James Ralph Gillenwaters; and her mother, Lois Maureen Gillenwaters. The family she leaves behind will forever carry her love, her wisdom, and the example she set by living with an open heart and a faithful spirit.
Peggy was a woman whose life reflected the beauty of simple joys and meaningful connections. She loved dolphins, collecting dolls, Alabama football, fishing, and spending time with her family. She found joy in the moments that brought people together, and she understood that the richest parts of life are often found in shared laughter, steady presence, and loving conversation. Her interests were more than hobbies, because they were a reflection of the warmth and wonder she carried within her.
Her church life was also an important part of who she was. Peggy loved being involved in church activities, and her Christian faith was not something she simply spoke about, because it was something she lived. She believed in lifting others up, serving with humility, and trusting God through every triumph and trial. In her quiet and faithful way, she reminded others that a life anchored in Christ is a life filled with hope. Her example encouraged those around her to keep going, keep believing, and keep loving with intention.
Those who knew Peggy will remember her as loving, thoughtful, and faith-filled. These words describe her well, but they only begin to tell the story of the woman she was. She had a way of making people feel seen and valued. She knew how to listen, how to encourage, and how to offer comfort without needing many words. Her presence brought peace, and her love brought strength. She was a steady light in the lives of her family and friends, and that light will continue to shine through the lives she touched.
Today, while her earthly journey has come to a close, Peggy’s influence remains alive in the hearts of those who loved her. Her life stands as a powerful reminder that greatness is not measured by fame or fortune, but by faithfulness, kindness, and the courage to love well. She lived with conviction, she served with grace, and she loved without hesitation. That is the kind of life that leaves an enduring mark.
Though she will be deeply missed, Peggy’s family and friends can take comfort in knowing that her faith was strong and her love was real. Her story is one of perseverance, devotion, and a life well lived. She leaves behind not only cherished memories, but also a legacy of hope, encouragement, and Christian witness. May her example inspire others to cherish their loved ones, walk in faith, and live each day with purpose and gratitude.
Memories and condolences may be shared at www.radneyfuneralhome.com.