Carlton West Peeples

Mr. Carlton West Peeples, age 90, of Blairsville, GA, passed away on Saturday, September 27, 2025, at his home surrounded by his loving family.

Carlton Peeples was born on March 1, 1935, to Jennie Evelyn West and Joseph McBarron Chastain. Following the passing of his father, his mother married Thomas Jefferson Peeples Sr., who later adopted Carlton as his own.

Carlton married the love of his life, Betty Joyce Phillips, on November 5, 1961. Together, they built a life centered around family, faith, and service to others.

In his youth, Carlton was active in the Boy Scouts and a proud graduate of Murray County High School, where he played on the school's first football team. His contributions and legacy there were later honored with his induction into the Murray County High School Hall of Fame.

He served three years in the United States Army before earning his pharmacy degree from the University of Georgia. In 1963, Carlton purchased Carpenter's Pharmacy, renaming it Carlton's Pharmacy-a cornerstone of the community for decades. Known for his compassion and selflessness, he often went above and beyond to help those in need, delivering medicine late at night and assisting families who struggled financially. He sold the pharmacy to his brother Tom in 1997.

Carlton was an active member of his community throughout his life. He served with the Jaycees, held various leadership roles at First Methodist Church of Chatsworth, and was a longtime board member of Cohutta Banking Company, which later became Synovus.

In 2004, Carlton and Betty moved to their retirement home on Lake Nottely, where they enjoyed a peaceful life together, though they missed the regular company of their many friends.

Carlton was a pillar of the community, admired for his humility, kindness, and generosity. To his children, he was the finest example of what it meant to be a loving husband, devoted father, and loyal friend. He adored Betty with his whole heart-"times ten"-and his love extended deeply to his children and grandchildren.

He leaves behind a legacy of love, service, and integrity. To know Carlton was to respect and admire him. He will be remembered always and missed dearly.

He was preceded in death by his father, Joseph McBarron Chastain; mother, Jennie Evelyn West; adoptive father, Thomas Jefferson Peeples; sisters, Joan Leonard and Jane Colbert; brother and sister-in-law, Tom Peeples Jr. and Cindy Diaz Peeples; and his brother-in-law, Bill Woods.

Survivors include his loving wife, Betty J. Phillips Peeples; son and daughter-in-law, Scott and Amy Peeples of Hayesville, NC; daughters and son-in-law, Jennifer Liane Eller and Greg Eller of Chatsworth and Karla Paige Peeples-Chastain of Blairsville, GA; sister, Ruth Woods of Chatsworth; grandchildren, Lindsey Massengale, Tanner Brackett, Chase Massey, Sydney Massey, Joseph Peeples, and Emma Harris; great-grandchildren, Emma, Westin, Helena, Addie, and Hayes; cousin, Barry Chastain; brother-in-law, Luke Colbert; extended family also survives.

Funeral services to celebrate the life of Mr. Carlton West Peeples will be held on Wednesday, October 1, 2025, at 2:00 pm in the chapel of Peeples Funeral Home with Rev. Graham Arp and Mr. Tommy Kendrick officiating. Interment will follow at Johnson Family Cemetery.

The family will receive friends at the funeral home on Tuesday, September 30, 2025, from 5:00 pm until 8:00 pm, and on Wednesday, October 1, 2025, from 12:00 pm until the service hour.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Chatsworth First Methodist Church (P.O. Box 152, Chatsworth, GA 30705), the Alzheimer's Association, and St. Jude Children's Research Hospital.

Peeples Funeral Home & Crematory of Chatsworth has been entrusted with the arrangements for Mr. Carlton West Peeples.