THE GAINESVILLE SUN
Gainesville, Florida
November 1, 2015

Peggy Wray Gresham

 
Peggy Wray Gresham died October 29, 2015. She passed away after living over 7 years with Alzheimer's disease. She was lovingly cared for by her family and the staff at Azalea Trace, the memory care unit at The Village in Gainesville, Florida.

Marvin, her husband of 64 years, visited her virtually every day during her illness. The family would like to especially thank Ajsha Mims, the supervisor at Azalea Trace for the special kindness she always showed Peggy. She was Peggy's friend to the end.

Peggy was born September 5, 1932 in Charlotte, NC, the first of two children born to Howard Franklin Wray and Grace Smithdeal Wray. Her father owned three Sinclair gas stations but lost them by 1941 in the run-up to WWII. The family moved to Wilmington, NC where Howard worked building Liberty ships for the war.

In 1945 the Wrays moved to Bunnell, Florida where they bought and operated another Sinclair gas station with an attached restaurant, The Green Tile. Peggy's mother ran the restaurant so Peggy spent many hours there, waiting tables when she was 13.

Peggy was a beautiful woman and was crowned Miss Flagler County at the age of 14. 

It was in Bunnell where Peggy met her husband, Marvin Gresham. After dating for three years, Peggy (18) and Marvin (21) married on February 4, 1951, the date determined largely by Marvin's graduation from UF and his military service.

Moving to Montgomery, Alabama, Marvin worked in the medical service corps at Gunter Field and Maxwell Air Force base where their first child, Brenda, was born. Upon Marvin's discharge from the Air Force the family moved first to St. Augustine for six months then came to Gainesville in 1953 where Marvin owned and operated Gresham Drugs downtown.

Peggy began classes at the University of Florida but when their second child, Steve, was born, Peggy decided to concentrate on raising children rather than a college degree. She was a dedicated mother who ran a most happy household and was thrilled when the family expanded with the birth of the third child, Julie.

Peggy loved people. She was a member of the Junior League and numerous social clubs. Her dearest friends, a group of about twelve women, became known as The Bridge Club. They of course had fun playing bridge but more importantly brought their families together over many, many years and the husbands and children all became friends. The tradition of the Bridge Club Christmas party, Labor Day weekends at Ormond Beach, and annual Fourth of July picnics are fond memories for all. 

Prior to the advent of Mastercard and Visa, Gresham Drugs issued charge accounts to individuals which became Peggy's responsibility to administer. She'd routinely stay up late at night organizing hundreds of accounts so she could play tennis with her friends in the morning. As the drugstore business grew it allowed Peggy and Marvin to travel to many exciting places around the world. But the most special memories were formed close to home at their humble place on Cowpen Lake and later, Vilano Beach. 

Peggy will be remembered by her family and friends as an incredibly kind, upbeat, and generous person. Even lost in her illness the sweetness of her personality shined through. She was a fun person to be around and we'll miss her.

 Peggy is survived by her husband Marvin, as well as their three children, Brenda Rainsberger (Todd), Steve Gresham, and Julie DiPerna (Doug). Also surviving Peggy are the grandchildren she doted on, Melissa Rainsberger Beery, Mason Rainsberger, Austin and Parker Gresham, and Luke and Logan DiPerna. In addition, Peggy leaves two great-grandchildren, Carson and Gresham Beery and her sister, Joyce Alford (Don) who lives in Jacksonville. 

Peggy will be laid to rest in a private, family ceremony in Vilano Beach. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that you make a donation in Peggy's name to the Alzheimer's Association at alz.org.