Joseph Emory Peery Sr.

Joseph Emory Peery, Sr., age 91, of Tazewell County, formerly of Wytheville, died Sun., Jan. 4, 2009. Born April 29, 1917 in Tazewell County, Va., he was the son of the late Joe Howard and Annie Sluss Peery. He was preceded in death by his wife, Mildred Odom Peery and a sister, Danese Peery. Mr. Peery was a descendant of John Peery, who settled near the forks of Clinch River in 1772. Mr. Peery was educated in Tazewell's schools and later worked for Pocahontas Fuel Company. In 1944 he started Peery Meat Packing Plant in North Tazewell and later one in West Virginia. He was President of Peery Trucking Company from 1959 to 1979 and established Tam Lee Farms Country Hams, Stuarts Draft, Va. Throughout his life Mr. Peery developed and sold real estate in and around Tazewell County. Mr. Peery was a man who was devoted to his friends and his family, who in turn reciprocated his affection. Mr. Peery is survived by three children and spouses, Joseph E. Jr. and Margaret Anne McBurney Peery of Tazewell, Va., Sharon Lynn Peery Hymes of Wytheville, Va., Ronald Wayne and Reina Peery of Tazewell, Va.; 11 grandchildren, Joseph E. Peery, III, Anne Hart Savvopoulos, Jennifer Margaret Buchanan, Elizabeth Hymes Fletcher, Amy Hymes Howell, Edward Hymes, Rebekah Peery, John Preston Peery, Ronald W. Peery, Jr., Susan Dawson and Rachel Peery. Twenty-eight great grandchildren and one great great grandchild also survive. Mr. Peery will be cremated and interred beside his wife at Tazewell's Maplewood Cemetery. A graveside memorial service will be held May 2, 2009 at 11:00 a.m. Mr. Peery requested that memorial contributions be made to the Historic Crab Orchard Museum, Tazewell, Va., or Tazewell County Rescue Squad, Tazewell, Va. Barnett Funeral Home, Wytheville, Va., is in charge of arrangements.