Peggy Camper

Praise & Thanksgiving

Peggy Lyvette Camper was born to Louis Thomas and Dorothy Mae Marsaw Camper on Saturday, August 5, 1961, at General Hospital in Natchez, Mississippi. On that precious day, Louis and Dorothy brought their fourth of ten children home in windy and stormy 78-degree weather. Peggy was affectionately called ‘China Doll’ by the family because our late Aunt Pearl said when she laid eyes on the newborn’s beautiful, round-shaped countenance, Peggy reminded her of a gorgeous China doll. At the tender age of 5, Peggy’s singing gift began to blossom. Family and church members would stand her up on a box and give her the microphone to sing. Her first solo was the beloved spiritual, Walk with Me, Lord, taught by her mother, who was also a gifted songstress. Peggy sang with so much soul-stirring power that her solo became widely requested during revivals, district and state meetings, and other gatherings in Natchez and surrounding cities. Peggy grew up in a large family and she always embodied the character traits of a ‘dear child’; she was kind and respectful to everyone she met and never gave an ounce of trouble. Her loveable and endearing disposition exhibited and proved she never met a stranger. Peggy cheerfully gave of her talents, time, and resources. She would not stop until tasks were completed with excellence. When the Camper family relocated from Natchez, MS to Dallas, TX, Peggy attended Paul L. Dunbar Elementary, Fred F. Florence Jr. High, and graduated with honors from Skyline High School, Class of 1979. After high school, she earned her certification as a Medical Assistant from Everest College and later became a Licensed Cosmetologist. Peggy built her professional career in the finance industry, employed by Bank of America and JP Morgan Chase in Dallas, TX and Tampa, FL respectively. While her day job was in the finance industry, she was a woman of many passions and interests. She was a self-taught, yet skilled seamstress, a gifted songbird, a dedicated caregiver, a creative decorator, a hairstylist/ cosmetologist, a talented chef and baker, and a fashionista in her own right. Peggy was a warm and hospitable host at any event or family gathering; she had a welcoming and comforting presence, and she was loved by all who knew her. Peggy was a faithful member of Victory Temple Church of God in Christ: Highway of Holiness Ministries under the pastorate and tutelage of Pastor Lafayette Whitley Sr., who is also her first cousin. She was a devoted member of the Victory Voice Choir, VT Women’s Department, Christian Women’s Council, and she enhanced every auxiliary with her creativity and craftsmanship. Peggy was an anointed lead soprano and would also assist in the alto and tenor sections She would lead the choir in songs such as: Fight On, Christians, Fight On, Have Mercy, Higher Plains, Go To God In Prayer, Run On, Stand, God Is, Touch Me Lord, The Potter’s House, Redeemed, I Can Do All Things Through Christ Who Strengthens Me, Try Christ, Certainly Lord, For God So Loved The World, Come to Jesus, Nobody Like Jesus, Who’s On The Lord Side and many more. She would solo songs like: If You Need A Touch, O Holy Night, Silent Night, How Great Thou Art, Love Came Down At Christmas just to name a few. Being in the House of the Lord brought Peggy pure delight! She loved to praise and worship God. In many church services, the Spirit of God would come in and move upon her so mightily that she would speak in tongues, walk the floor basking in the Spirit, and allow the Lord to use her to bless and pray for others. She would rub you down with that comforting touch and was such an empathetic listener. The congregation at VT will fondly remember her introducing this catchy melody: The Jesus in me, loves the Jesus in you… The Jesus in you, loves the Jesus in me. Makes it so easy, easy to love”. And how befitting, because this lyrical phrase sums up our dear sister in Christ so well; Peggy was so easy to love. Second only to her love for God, was Peggy’s love for her family. She was a wonderful and caring daughter, a joyful and dependable sister, and most of all, Peggy was truly in love with the privilege and joy of being a mom to her two sons, Kevin and Kody. Her boys, now young men, were her life. Later, her life was made richer by welcoming the ‘daughter she never had’, her daughter-in-love, Tyreonna, aka ‘Ty’. Her heart was even more enlarged with the addition of her four grandchildren: Ty’Kevia aka ‘Kevie’, Khianna aka ‘KiKi’, Ber’Nae and Khameron. Our families’ most fond ‘precious memories’ of Peggy Lyvette Camper will be her sweet and soft voice, contagious smile and laughter, and her generous spirit. Her passion for life and servant-heartedness will forever be etched in our hearts and minds. While Peggy’s grandparents, Levi & Elizabeth Marsaw and Vernie & Minnie P. Camper; mother, Dorothy Mae Marsaw Camper, and brother, Carlos Wadell Camper, preceded her in death, she leaves the following family members to cherish her memory: Her Dad, Louis Thomas Camper Sr.; sons, Kevin Bernard Edwards (Tyreonna) and Kody Bashun Edwards ; grandchildren, Ty’Kevia Renay Edwards, Ber’Nae Nicole Edwards, Khianna Lyvette Edwards and Khameron Payne Edwards. Peggy will be deeply and dearly missed by her siblings: Celeste Denise Bonner (Tim), Louis Thomas Camper, Jr. (Debra), Velada Camper, Angela Denise Camper, Charles Anthony Camper (Sharetta), Marcus Lamonte Camper (Kayla), Cecil Donnell Camper (Jacqueline), Vanessa Lynette Camper (Leon), and Cedric Kennard Camper (Cynthia). Additionally, Peggy’s life and love will be remembered by a host of nieces, great nieces, nephews, great nephews, cousins, church family, colleagues, and friends.

Peggy has left us a legacy of going above and beyond to serve others. Truly, whatever her hands found to do, she did it to the glory of God

Saturday, December 23, 2023 11:00 AM V ICTORY T EMPLE C HURCH OF G OD IN C HRIST H IGHWAY TO H OLINESS M INISTRIES 620 West Red Bird Lane - Dallas, Texas 75232 Pastor Lafayette Whitley, Sr. - Eulogist Minister Alvin Watson, Officiating

Officiant……………………………………………………...………………Minister Alvin Watson Organ Prelude……………………………………………………………….Brother L.D. Mackey III Final Glimpse Til Glory (10a til 11a) Processional…………………………………………Clergy, Honorary Bearers of the Bier & Family Prayer & Praise of Comfort……………………………………………………..Elder Laymon Rolfe God Speaks Comfort Old Testament…………………………………………………………... Elder Sullivan Marsaw New Testament…………………………………………………………. Elder Lawrence Dorsey Instrumental Musical Selection (A Tribute for My Mom) ……………………………... Kody Edwards Acknowledgement and Moment of Resolution………………………………... Sister Arlene Gaines ( Please submit all Resolutions, Cards, and Acknowledgements to a member of the Usher Staff) Special Video Presentation Expressions (3 mins Please)…………………………………………………...Elder Lewis Hemphill All Elders and Ministers ( Please Stand for Acknowledgement ) Selection…. “Medley of Songs” - Reflections of Peggy………………...………. Victory Voice Choir A Tribute to Our Aunt……………………………………………………...…..Perri Camper Rivers Nakay Camper ‘The Necrology/Life That Epitomized Sister Peggy Lyvette Camper’ Read Silently A Tribute to Mom……………………………………………………..Kevin and Tyreonna Edwards A Tribute to My Daughter and Our Dear Sister……..Big Brother, Louis “Ricky” Thomas Camper Jr. Eulogy…………………………………………………………………. Pastor Lafayette Whitley Sr. Doxology Recessional………………………………………….Funeral Directors/Golden Gate Funeral Home

Tributes She was the ultimate mother who was always putting her children and grandchildren first. I will miss her unconditional Love and the Genuity she showed me, forever. I’m happy she will now be surrounded by souls as pure as hers in heaven! – Kevin

Mom, you were my biggest supporter. You were my best friend, my one call and that’s all. I want to say Thank you God for giving me 9 years with you. You were the person that would always listen to me and gave me the best advice. I Love You, Mom! – Tyreonna ‘Ty’

Dear Mom, I first want to say that everything we went through as an intermediate and whole family, I am so grateful for. You have taught me and Kevin so much whether it was your kind voice, heartwarming hugs and smiles or with any belt that was in arms reach. You taught us how to show respect and always to stay proactive with our time management. I loved the trips we took because we were going to have a lot of fun. As I grew older, you continuously made sacrifices. You always invested and poured into any vision I had. You taught me how to take care of my children, to be a father and how the little things mattered. Mom, I cannot believe that you are not physically here, and every day I think about it, I don’t want to believe that it is real, but I know that you, Grandma and Uncle Carlos will be watching over us. Your teachings will last for generations, and I will always show my kids our videos. Rest In Peace Momma. You will always be in our hearts and mind - Your Baby Boy, Kody Wody

To my dear child Peggy, I can never thank you enough for taking care of me and mama. God has taken a beautiful soul. I Love you with all my heart, but God loved you more. Rest In Love, My Beautiful “China Doll” Daddy My Sister, you were a blessing that warmed our hearts and souls with love. Had such a kind and sweet demeanor, always willing to assist with a smile and never a frown. Sacrificed and invested so much of your time, whether it was sewing a button on a shirt, fixing a pair of pants, or adding your creative touch to an event or ensemble. You were determined and passionate about using your gifts and finishing what you started. Oh, how we will forever remember and cherish your beautiful and contagious smile and your sweet soothing angelic voice. God has given you your wings. Like a dove, fly away and be at rest. We love you forever. Your brothers, Ricky, Charles, Marcus, Cecil and Cedric When you BELIEVE beyond what your eyes can see, signs from HEAVEN show up to remind you LOVE NEVER DIES. Your sisters, Denise, Velada and Vanessa Peggy, I will forever remember your beautiful smile, gentle words and your love for everyone. I thank you for your kindness and for being the amazing and God-fearing person that I was blessed to call my “sister-in-love”. Now take your rest, Matthew 11:28, “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.” Love you forever, Jacqueline Camper Peggy, your gift of singing truly blessed our souls and hearts, and your ability to do just about anything you were asked to do. We will always love you. - Angela, Cherith and Cheridan Camper

There is such great comfort in the assurance that we are not alone in this hour of great loss. That assurance is affirmed by the many warm and sincere expressions of comfort and sympathy each of you have shown. Your personal visits and telephone calls, wonderful assortment of all kinds of food, cards, floral arrangements and more importantly your fervent prayers are deeply appreciated. To the Victory Temple COGIC Family, out of state family and friends, the love and thoughtfulness you’ve shown to us will never be forgotten, and for that we are eternally grateful. Thanks to Town East Rehabilitation/Town East Village and a very Special Thanks to the staff at 5 Points Nursing and Rehabilitation of Desoto, TX and staff at Paloma Hospice Care. To those who exhibited special patient care for our dear sister, we are forever indebted to you for your kindness, thoughtfulness, and compassion. Thank you. - THE EDWARDS/CAMPER FAMILY

Kevin Bernard Edwards Kody Bashun Edwards Louis Thomas Camper, Jr. Charles Anthony Camper Marcus Lamonte Camper Cecil Donnell Camper Cedric Kennard Camper

Louis Thomas Camper III Lewis Tremayne Camper Bryson Anthony Camper Timmis Paul Bonner III Cameron Elijah Camper

Tim Paul Bonner, Jr. Leon Howard Foreman, Jr.

Lincoln Memorial Cemetery Dallas, Texas