William Byrd High School Alumni
Vinton, Virginia (VA)
In Memory of
Peggy Jane Richardson Gregory
1935-2026
Born Dec 04, 1935, Peggy Jane Richardson Gregory attended William Byrd High School in Vinton, VA.
Class of 1955
Dec 04, 1935 - Apr 06, 2026
Dec 04, 1935 - Apr 06, 2026
Our hearts, full of sorrow, gratitude, and love, announce the passing of our beloved and beautiful mother, Peggy Jane Richardson Gregory, who, with an open heart, was welcomed into Heaven by her Lord on April 6, 2026. She passed peacefully at home, surrounded by family.
As the youngest child of Charles "Charlie" Gilmer Richardson and Pauline Hungate Richardson, Peggy was born during the height of the Great Depression. Her world was sent into disarray at the age of five when her father unexpectedly passed away. The family was forced to leave their homestead in Botetourt County, and many of her siblings had to work to support their mother. Much of her childhood was spent in survival mode. Peggy's vivacious nature helped transform those early, humble, and traumatic experiences into a dedicated work ethic and a deep love of life. She was driven to nurture and protect her family and all those she loved, at any cost.
As a teenager, Peggy met the love of her life, Melvin Gregory, in the lunchroom while attending William Byrd High School. He reminded her of a television heartthrob, and for her, it was love at first sight. They married in 1955 after graduation and soon began their own family. After purchasing their first home in Vinton, she painted a beautiful fairytale castle scene on her daughter's bedroom wall and worked to provide her children with the stability and nurturing she had not experienced in her own childhood. She and Melvin were longtime, devoted members of Barnhardt Baptist Church in Stewartsville.
When her mother was diagnosed with terminal cancer in 1963, Peggy became her primary caretaker and organized the first family reunion to bring her siblings together for final goodbyes. It marked the beginning of a lasting tradition. After her mother's passing in 1964, Peggy continued hosting regular reunions to keep the extended family connected. For nearly 60 years, she was the "glue" that brought her siblings and their children back to the Roanoke Valley to share meals, reminisce, and strengthen family bonds through her July 4th and Christmas gatherings.
Peggy was a talented cook who used her many gifts to create beautiful flower gardens, holiday arrangements, and handmade crafts, which she generously shared with loved ones. She was, perhaps, the inspiration for the Energizer Bunny, as her love for family kept her constantly busy finding ways to show her care.
She did all of this while managing her household, serving her church, and maintaining full-time employment at places such as Singer Furniture, Dickerson GMC, and Johnson Carper. Many in the Roanoke area came to know Peggy through her 30-year career (1976-2006) at the Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles' Roanoke office. She was known for her friendly demeanor, warm smile, and her diligence, kindness, and willingness to help anyone in need. She was the last of the original six siblings to pass and will remain an ever-present presence in the hearts of her family and at future gatherings.
Our loving matriarch, Peggy, had four children, three of whom survive her: Tony, Melinda "Cindy," and Joseph. Her son, Zirkle "Perky," predeceased her in 2003. Also surviving are her spouses/partners, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren: Deborah Gregory, Barbara Lyons, Melanie Gregory, Justin Gregory, Jason Vaught, Travis VanValkenberg, Blake Gregory, Kyra Gregory, and Selestia Hockin (Vaught), along with many cousins, nieces, nephews, extended family members, and dear friends who will miss her greatly.
A visitation will be held on Thursday, April 9, 2026, from 5:00-7:00 p.m. at Oakey's Vinton Chapel. The funeral service will take place on Friday, April 10, 2026, at 2:00 p.m., also at Oakey's Vinton Chapel. Burial will follow at Mountain View Cemetery in Vinton.
As the youngest child of Charles "Charlie" Gilmer Richardson and Pauline Hungate Richardson, Peggy was born during the height of the Great Depression. Her world was sent into disarray at the age of five when her father unexpectedly passed away. The family was forced to leave their homestead in Botetourt County, and many of her siblings had to work to support their mother. Much of her childhood was spent in survival mode. Peggy's vivacious nature helped transform those early, humble, and traumatic experiences into a dedicated work ethic and a deep love of life. She was driven to nurture and protect her family and all those she loved, at any cost.
As a teenager, Peggy met the love of her life, Melvin Gregory, in the lunchroom while attending William Byrd High School. He reminded her of a television heartthrob, and for her, it was love at first sight. They married in 1955 after graduation and soon began their own family. After purchasing their first home in Vinton, she painted a beautiful fairytale castle scene on her daughter's bedroom wall and worked to provide her children with the stability and nurturing she had not experienced in her own childhood. She and Melvin were longtime, devoted members of Barnhardt Baptist Church in Stewartsville.
When her mother was diagnosed with terminal cancer in 1963, Peggy became her primary caretaker and organized the first family reunion to bring her siblings together for final goodbyes. It marked the beginning of a lasting tradition. After her mother's passing in 1964, Peggy continued hosting regular reunions to keep the extended family connected. For nearly 60 years, she was the "glue" that brought her siblings and their children back to the Roanoke Valley to share meals, reminisce, and strengthen family bonds through her July 4th and Christmas gatherings.
Peggy was a talented cook who used her many gifts to create beautiful flower gardens, holiday arrangements, and handmade crafts, which she generously shared with loved ones. She was, perhaps, the inspiration for the Energizer Bunny, as her love for family kept her constantly busy finding ways to show her care.
She did all of this while managing her household, serving her church, and maintaining full-time employment at places such as Singer Furniture, Dickerson GMC, and Johnson Carper. Many in the Roanoke area came to know Peggy through her 30-year career (1976-2006) at the Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles' Roanoke office. She was known for her friendly demeanor, warm smile, and her diligence, kindness, and willingness to help anyone in need. She was the last of the original six siblings to pass and will remain an ever-present presence in the hearts of her family and at future gatherings.
Our loving matriarch, Peggy, had four children, three of whom survive her: Tony, Melinda "Cindy," and Joseph. Her son, Zirkle "Perky," predeceased her in 2003. Also surviving are her spouses/partners, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren: Deborah Gregory, Barbara Lyons, Melanie Gregory, Justin Gregory, Jason Vaught, Travis VanValkenberg, Blake Gregory, Kyra Gregory, and Selestia Hockin (Vaught), along with many cousins, nieces, nephews, extended family members, and dear friends who will miss her greatly.
A visitation will be held on Thursday, April 9, 2026, from 5:00-7:00 p.m. at Oakey's Vinton Chapel. The funeral service will take place on Friday, April 10, 2026, at 2:00 p.m., also at Oakey's Vinton Chapel. Burial will follow at Mountain View Cemetery in Vinton.