Obituary published on Legacy.com by Shives Funeral Home - Trenholm Road Chapel on Jan. 30, 2026.
Peggy Wicker Smith was born in
Greensboro, North Carolina, on July 27, 1931, to the late Alice J. Wicker and Lacy Phillip Wicker, Peggy was a cherished child who lived a faith-filled long and meaningful life.
She found great pleasure in the simple and the sophisticated alike; the strategy of a good bridge game, the tranquility of her garden and the excitement of traveling to new places. In the later years of life and prior to her husband's death in 2021, they enjoyed many cruises and exotic destination trips to cities and countries. She was always ready to see the sights and explore!
Above all, she was a fiercely loyal, supportive mother of strength to her three sons. Her guiding presence was one of perseverance, steadfastness, unyielding and deep abiding love.
Peggy enjoyed a distinguished and rewarding career in the tourism industry, where her love for travel and hospitality led her to a key leadership role in the position of Assistant Director for the South Carolina Parks Recreation and Tourism division. Many of the friendships she established during that time have remained intact, enriching her life. She retired from the industry, but quickly returned to the workforce to assume the position of CEO of the family's radio station, a business led by her father. After his passing, she embraced the role with gratitude and pride while carrying the family legacy forward. The station was WOBR located in
Wanchese, NC, minutes away from the shores of the Outer Banks. While serving in this capacity, she migrated into a caregiving role to her mother, eventually leading to being a fulltime caregiver. Her love, compassion, and devotion were nothing less than stellar. She and her mother shared a very special bond.
Her hands were rarely still as she found deep satisfaction in tending to her flowers and plants. She truly was a master gardener. Her reward for her talented efforts was cultivating a beautiful lawn landscape that was admired by many.
For more than 50 years, she was an avid bridge player. She treasured and valued not only the challenge of the cards but the friendships formed around the table.
She was a longstanding member of North Trenholm Baptist Church where she participated in many of the activities. She enjoyed singing in the church choir, where her God-given soprano voice was a joy to share. Her faith was the cornerstone of her life. She found purpose, guidance and a deep connection within her church community and relationships. It was her unwavering faith that sustained her through life's many seasons and was a constant source of grace.
She is survived by her three sons, W. Phillip Smith (Francine), Richard H. "Pat" Smith (Sissy), and Michael N. Smith (Susan), all of Columbia; two granddaughters, Christy S. Crow of Columbia and Alison S. Kim (Tony) of
Cumming, GA; step-grandson, Brandon Lowe (Tricia) of Westfield, NC; three great-granddaughters, Katie Crow of Columbia, Reagan Kim and Lucy Kim of
Cumming, GA; also a step-granddaughter, Tracey Cook, a great grandson, Brandon Long; great granddaughters, Nicole Miller and Emaline Browder; great-great-grandson, Cameron Browder and great-great-granddaughter, Hannah Miller, all of Portsmouth, Virginia. She was preceded in death by her husband of 73 years, William T. "Bill" Smith.
A memorial service will be held at 2 o'clock, Saturday, February 7th at Shives Funeral Home, Trenholm Road Chapel, 7600 Trenholm Road Ext.,
Columbia, SC.
The family will receive friends at the funeral home prior to the service beginning at 1 o'clock.
Shives Funeral Home, Trenholm Road Chapel, is assisting the family.