J.L. Dodson & Sons Funeral Establishment - Petersburg
Mrs. Gracie Short Pegram
( March 15, 1909 - September 12, 2014 )
Mother Gracie Short Pegram, 105, of 20712 5th Street McKenney, Virginia gathered her wings to glory on Friday, September 12, 2014 during her brief stay at River View on the Appomattox Health and Rehab Center in Hopewell, Virginia.
Gracie was born in Brunswick County to the late Billy and Mary Short. Her paternal grandparents were Ruby and Harriet Short. Her maternal grandparents were Ned and Sarah Williams. Gracie attended school in Dinwiddie County. At the age nine, Gracie was baptized and joined Big Bethel Baptist Church where she was the oldest attending member. She served on several ministries.
Gracie was married to the late Daniel Branch and together they were the parents of two children, Rosa Lee and Norman. Later on in life she married the late Edward James Pegram.
Gracie had various employment over the years. She worked for Spencer and Margaret, raising their children. She worked at Ye Olde Virginia Restaurant, Wilmoth Restaurant, and Nottoway Restaurant for 30 years. Gracie also worked for Johnny and Margaret Fry; Harrison’s; and Billy, Clyde and Betty Elder. She retired from her last job in the mid 80’s having worked for George and Mary Emma Ragsdale for 21 years.
Gracie was very independent and stubborn, but good hearted. She took care of her own home and had been blessed with good health. She was a very humorous, fun and loving person.
Every night around 9pm, you could find her on the telephone talking with her niece, Margaret Draper. Gracie’s famous sayings were,” I like my little house. I want to stay at my own house as long as I can and go when I can’t any longer” and “as soon as I feel better, I’m going back to work”. Gracie also enjoyed cooking for everyone and watching them eat.
Gracie was preceded in death by her nine siblings; her husband, Edward James Pegram; daughter, Rosa Lee Draper; son, Norman Branch, and a great- great granddaughter, Shannon Draper.
She leaves a legacy of cherished memories to three grandsons, Leonard Draper (Maranda), Ronnie Draper (Lillie) all of Chester, Va. and Frederick Draper(Dora) of Hopewell, Va.; one granddaughter, Debbie Draper of N. Chesterfield, Va.; 12 great grandchildren, Marlin Bailey of Hopewell Va., Evangelist Elizabeth Draper of Colonial Heights, Va., Trenton Draper of Powder Springs, Ga., Ronnie Draper Jr., and Shaquita Wells both of Chester, Va., Marcus Draper of Richmond, Va., Terrence Draper of Raleigh, NC., Tomeka Morgan-Smith ,and Natassja Garris both of Dinwiddie , Va., Marcus Simmons of Petersburg,Va., Shanon Hayes-Tanks of Roanoke, Va., and Anthony Smith, Jr. of N. Chesterfield, Va.; 18 great- great grandchildren; seven great-great-great grandchildren, one sister-in-law, Estelle Lanier of McKenney Va.; 14 nieces; three nephews; several great nieces and great nephews; great- great nieces and nephew; great- great- great nieces and nephews, and many cousins. Also devoted caregivers and devoted friend, Pearl Williams.
Celebration of life for Mrs. Gracie Pegram will be held 12 noon Friday, September 19, 2014 at Big Bethel Baptist Church 11010 Bolling Rd., McKenney, Va., Rev. Alexander Williams Pastor, and Rev. Arlester Newsome, Jr., Eulogizing. Interment will follow in the Dinwiddie Memorial Park Cemetery Petersburg, Va. Remains will lie in state at the church one hour prior to service.
The family is asking relatives and friends to assemble at the Chapel of the J.L.Dodson and Sons Funeral Establishment on the day of the service at 10:45am.
Public visitation will be on Wednesday, September 17, 2014 from 5 to 8pm and on Thursday, September 18, 2014 from 9am to 8p.m. A Wake will be held from 6pm to 7p.m Thursday, September 18, 2014 at the Chapel of J. L. Dodson and Sons Funeral Establishment.
Professional services have been entrusted to the staff of the J.L. Dodson and Sons Funeral Establishment, 25824 Greensville Avenue, Petersburg, Virginia 23803, Rev. Jeffrey L. Dodson, Sr., Funeral Director, (804) 732-5959 and (804) 834-3330. Online condolences may be registered at www.jldodsonandsons.com
Gracie was born in Brunswick County to the late Billy and Mary Short. Her paternal grandparents were Ruby and Harriet Short. Her maternal grandparents were Ned and Sarah Williams. Gracie attended school in Dinwiddie County. At the age nine, Gracie was baptized and joined Big Bethel Baptist Church where she was the oldest attending member. She served on several ministries.
Gracie was married to the late Daniel Branch and together they were the parents of two children, Rosa Lee and Norman. Later on in life she married the late Edward James Pegram.
Gracie had various employment over the years. She worked for Spencer and Margaret, raising their children. She worked at Ye Olde Virginia Restaurant, Wilmoth Restaurant, and Nottoway Restaurant for 30 years. Gracie also worked for Johnny and Margaret Fry; Harrison’s; and Billy, Clyde and Betty Elder. She retired from her last job in the mid 80’s having worked for George and Mary Emma Ragsdale for 21 years.
Gracie was very independent and stubborn, but good hearted. She took care of her own home and had been blessed with good health. She was a very humorous, fun and loving person.
Every night around 9pm, you could find her on the telephone talking with her niece, Margaret Draper. Gracie’s famous sayings were,” I like my little house. I want to stay at my own house as long as I can and go when I can’t any longer” and “as soon as I feel better, I’m going back to work”. Gracie also enjoyed cooking for everyone and watching them eat.
Gracie was preceded in death by her nine siblings; her husband, Edward James Pegram; daughter, Rosa Lee Draper; son, Norman Branch, and a great- great granddaughter, Shannon Draper.
She leaves a legacy of cherished memories to three grandsons, Leonard Draper (Maranda), Ronnie Draper (Lillie) all of Chester, Va. and Frederick Draper(Dora) of Hopewell, Va.; one granddaughter, Debbie Draper of N. Chesterfield, Va.; 12 great grandchildren, Marlin Bailey of Hopewell Va., Evangelist Elizabeth Draper of Colonial Heights, Va., Trenton Draper of Powder Springs, Ga., Ronnie Draper Jr., and Shaquita Wells both of Chester, Va., Marcus Draper of Richmond, Va., Terrence Draper of Raleigh, NC., Tomeka Morgan-Smith ,and Natassja Garris both of Dinwiddie , Va., Marcus Simmons of Petersburg,Va., Shanon Hayes-Tanks of Roanoke, Va., and Anthony Smith, Jr. of N. Chesterfield, Va.; 18 great- great grandchildren; seven great-great-great grandchildren, one sister-in-law, Estelle Lanier of McKenney Va.; 14 nieces; three nephews; several great nieces and great nephews; great- great nieces and nephew; great- great- great nieces and nephews, and many cousins. Also devoted caregivers and devoted friend, Pearl Williams.
Celebration of life for Mrs. Gracie Pegram will be held 12 noon Friday, September 19, 2014 at Big Bethel Baptist Church 11010 Bolling Rd., McKenney, Va., Rev. Alexander Williams Pastor, and Rev. Arlester Newsome, Jr., Eulogizing. Interment will follow in the Dinwiddie Memorial Park Cemetery Petersburg, Va. Remains will lie in state at the church one hour prior to service.
The family is asking relatives and friends to assemble at the Chapel of the J.L.Dodson and Sons Funeral Establishment on the day of the service at 10:45am.
Public visitation will be on Wednesday, September 17, 2014 from 5 to 8pm and on Thursday, September 18, 2014 from 9am to 8p.m. A Wake will be held from 6pm to 7p.m Thursday, September 18, 2014 at the Chapel of J. L. Dodson and Sons Funeral Establishment.
Professional services have been entrusted to the staff of the J.L. Dodson and Sons Funeral Establishment, 25824 Greensville Avenue, Petersburg, Virginia 23803, Rev. Jeffrey L. Dodson, Sr., Funeral Director, (804) 732-5959 and (804) 834-3330. Online condolences may be registered at www.jldodsonandsons.com