Peggy Ann Costner Simmons, of Davidson, North Carolina, died on October 20, 2012, following a brief illness. She was born on January 24, 1928, in Lincolnton, N.C., to Beverley Pulaski and Annie Alberta (Peg) Costner.
Peggy grew up in Lincolnton and graduated from Lincolnton High School. She graduated from The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill in 1949 with a degree in Pharmacy. The first female pharmacist in Lincoln and Gaston Counties, she was active in her work and in professional associations for many years.
It was as a student at UNC-Chapel Hill that Peggy met her husband, Mercer Ward Simmons. They were married at Emmanuel Lutheran Church on September 10, 1947, and made their home in Lincolnton and Lincoln County until moving to The Pines at Davidson in 2003.
Peggy was active in many community associations. She served as a member of the Lincolnton Recreation Commission, was a director of the local chapter of the American Red Cross, the Lincoln County Hospital, and as a member of the local chapter of the American Association of University Women. She served on the N. C. State Library Commission. She served on the board of the N.C. Museum of History Associates and was instrumental in the establishment of the Lincoln County Chapter. She was a life-long Lutheran at Emmanuel Lutheran Church until she moved to Davidson and Davidson College Presbyterian Church.. It was always Peggy’s desire to come home to Lincolnton.
Peggy loved local history and collaborated on a number of Lincoln County initiatives. She assisted in the establishment of the Lincoln County Historical Association, which recognized her service with its Heritage Award. She also served as Regent of the Jacob Forney Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR). She was a life-long Democrat and member of the Lincoln County Democratic Women.
Among her many interests were travel, art, and gardening. She played bridge socially all of her adult life. Upon moving to The Pines she took it up in earnest, becoming a member of the Foy Ingram Duplicate Club and a regular at the annual marathon competition.
Peg’s life was full of friends and family. She was loved and respected by many and will be dearly missed. Peg was predeceased by her brothers, Beverley Pulaski Costner, Jr. and Alfred Nixon Costner, and her sister Jane Costner Ware. She is survived by her four children; Beverley Jane Simmons and her partner Mary Lou Schill of Ventura, CA, Rebecca Stillwagon and her husband Mark of Marietta, GA, Mercer Ward Simmons, Jr. and his wife Gail Goforth of Charlotte, NC, and Alfred Francis Simmons of Boone, NC. She is also survived by five grandchildren; Alfred Francis Simmons, Jr. of Los Angeles, CA, Arthur Carrington Simmons of Raleigh, NC, Maxwell Mercer Simmons of Boone, NC, and Marjorie Rose Stillwagon and Anne Catherine Stillwagon of Marietta, GA.
Funeral services will be held at 3:00 on Wednesday, October 24 at Emanuel Lutheran Church in Lincolnton, with interment to follow in Hollybrook Cemetery. Prior to the service, friends will be received at the Church from 2:00 until 2:45. Warlick Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements. Memorials may be made the Residents Association of The Pines at Davidson, 400 Avinger Lane, Davidson, NC 28036 or to the charity of one’s choice.
