Peggy Camper

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