Peggy Renegar Allgood

Peggy Renegar Allgood
July 4, 1929 - December 12, 2020
Cary, North Carolina - Peggy Allgood, 91, was awarded her wings during her sleep on Saturday morning, December 12.
Peggy was born to Arthur & Cora (nee Mabe) Renegar on July 4, 1929; the entire nation always celebrated her birthday! She was proud of her roots as the daughter of a farmer and owner of the local store. She was a middle child - the only girl sandwiched between 3 brothers. From her rural community of Lone Hickory near Yadkinville in Yadkin County, Peggy graduated Courtney High School before her sixteenth birthday (1945) and then obtained her Sociology degree from Women's College in Greensboro (now UNC-G). She was the first person in her family to ever go to college. When asked if she had a favorite subject in school, she replied that she did NOT like science. She always prided herself that she never took Chemistry; it wasn't available in high school and wasn't a requirement for her college degree. In 1949, she married James G. Allgood, also from Yadkinville, and followed his career around the state of North Carolina from Bryson City to Beaufort to Jacksonville before settling in Cary to raise their family.
Peggy's first job was a social worker; she really liked helping people with adoptions. After her sons were born, she became a full-time mom until the youngest started school. Then, she became a teacher, learning that she could earn continuing education credits by taking trips abroad. For her, it was a win-win; she took a trip, received education credits and got a tax deduction! Staying true to her distain for science and her passion for children, she was a talented, loved 7th grade teacher for 25 years, teaching Language Arts and Social Studies at Cary Junior High and East Cary Middle.
Peggy loved being a wife and soul mate to Jim. Her favorite job was being a mom to Jim Jr and Greg, plus she was a super mother-in-law. She figured out how to evolve from being a parent to children, to a friend to her adult sons and their wives. Her favorite job in the whole world was when she became Granny to Ashton and Meredith. She loved reading, walking, teaching students who wanted to learn, working the daily cross word puzzle, playing bridge in both the women's and couples' clubs, dancing with Jim, cheering for the Wolfpack, gardening and traveling the world. She especially loved the trips when her granddaughters traveled with her.
Peggy was a faithful, active member of First Baptist Church and then Greenwood Forest Baptist. More importantly, she was a strong believer in our savior Jesus Christ – often probing and questioning to grow in her faith. She had a passion for helping others. One Christmas, she took her granddaughter shopping; they then delivered their purchases to needy families. She knew it would be more impactable to deliver to the families than to drop them off at an organization. In retirement, she was active in the Raleigh Women's Club, staffed the snack area of the American Red Cross Blood Bank in Cary and volunteered at Wake Med Cary.
Peggy loved the arts and was a season ticket holder to the Raleigh Little Theatre, NC Theatre and Theatre in the Park – all at the same time! She also invested in her own 'learning' and took the course to become a docent at the NC Art Museum. It was much harder than she thought it would be, but she studied hard and always passed her tests. This allowed her to continue to engage with school groups.
Peggy loved people… all people. She was inclusive of others; it was who she was. She was a great friend as evidenced by her busy social calendar. She shared great times at the Allgood family beach cottage that she and Jim built in Emerald Isle, where she welcomed friends and family, raked clams, picked blue crabs, and steamed shrimp.
A dignified, southern lady, Peggy was elegant and beautiful, but could be feisty and strong-willed at the same time. She is the only person we know who has been taken off Hospice and then lived another 6 years! She was extremely quick witted and could give it right back to her boys when needed. Her wit and pleasant disposition remained with her even as the Alzheimer's disease progressed. The staff as Glenaire often asked if she was always so pleasant and grateful. She was the best Mom we could ever imagine and will be deeply missed.
Peggy is predeceased in death by her husband of 59 years, James Allgood. She is survived by her sons, Jim Allgood Jr / Meriem (Estero, FL), and Greg Allgood / Elaine (Boulder, CO), her daughter by choice Teresa Allgood / Don Cleveland (Emerald Isle, NC). Granddaughters, Ashton Allgood / John Batten (Emerald Isle, NC) and Meredith Allgood (Cincinnati, OH), were her pride and joy. She is also survived by sister-in-laws Sally Allgood Caudle and Jeanie Renegar, and many nieces and nephews. Many loved ones greeted Peggy at Heaven's gates, including her husband Jim, parents Arthur & Cora Renegar, brothers, Gray, Fred and Bob Renegar, sister by choice, Mary Lib Trent, and friends, Charles & Lib Williams.
The family wishes to thank the staff of Glenaire for their compassionate, loving care as Peggy declined, and her many, many friends who ministered to her by visiting, sending cards , providing transportation, and even feeding her. Our most sincere thanks to all these angels on earth!
Condolences and memories are welcomed at www.montlawn.com. Due to COVID, the family is holding a private service; details for a virtual memorial service should be available on this same site by December 22. Arrangements by Montlawn Funeral Home & Cremations of Raleigh.
Memorial contributions to research ALZHEIMER'S DISEASE may be made online at https://www.gifts.duke.edu/dmaa (search 3916988 and then select ALZHEIMER'S DISEASE RESEARCH) or by mailing Duke Neurology Alzheimer's Disease Research 3916988, Duke Health Development, Attn: Whitney Martin, 300 West Morgan Street, Suite 1200, Durham, NC 27701. Indicate your memorial is for Peggy Renegar Allgood.