Peggy Ellen Harville, 83, of Laurel, MS passed away Thursday, February 23, 2023 at her residence in Laurel, MS.

Visitation will be held on Monday, February 27, 2023 from 9:30 AM until 11:00 AM at Colonial Chapel Funeral Home Of Laurel on 4593 Indian Springs Rd. Funeral services will follow at 11:00 AM. The burial will take place at Memorial Gardens Cemetery in Laurel, Mississippi. Bro. Jerry Rowley will officiate. Colonial Chapel Funeral Home of Laurel is in charge of arrangements. 601-649-3342

Peggy Ellen Yelverton Harville was born November 5, 1939 and was adopted by Deavours and Doris Yelverton. She was raised in the Glade community, graduating in 1958. After the birth of her 4 th child, she married her second husband, Lewis A. "Teeny" Harville of Eight Mile, Alabama, a 56-year marriage that endured until her peaceful passing on February 23, 2023, surrounded by friends and family. She was preceded in death by her parents, and her daughter, Ellen Elaine Boykin. After a short period living in south Alabama, Peggy returned to Glade and raised her children, Terri Gale Bass (David) of Laurel, Allen Dale (Shellie) of Laurel, and Russell Glen (Fred) of San Marcos, Texas. She is also survived by her brother, Daniel Yelverton (Cathy) of Melbourne, Florida and 7 grandchildren, Twyla Lawson (Jason), Kimble Coats (Courtney), Jamie McClain, Elizabeth Todd, Spencer Clark (Laura), Anna Boykin, Kamryn Baucum (Nick), and 16 great grandchildren. Additionally, she is survived by her brothers-in-law, Larry Harville, and Alan Harville (Willie) who reside in the Mobile, AL area.

Pallbearers are Russell Clark, Kimble Coats, Spencer Clark, Jason Lawson, Kahne Lawson and Fred Poston, and honorary pallbearer Cole Sullivan.

In her 40's, Peggy became curious about her own adoption, leading her to become fairly well known in the Mississippi adoption community for her exhaustive and sometimes unorthodox public records research, leading to several family reunions for people she met through her efforts. She was a skilled home decorator and could redecorate an entire living room for $38. She could not pass a plant nursery, pottery store, or garden center without stopping to make "one quick purchase." Her landscaping skills were unrivaled, and her garden was a perpetual "work in progress." If she didn't answer her phone, she was probably pulling weeds or enlarging a bed of annuals. She had many hobbies, and as an avid fan of Crimson Tide football, fall Saturdays would find her glued to the TV for pre-game, game, and post-game coverage. She enjoyed country music and dancing with her husband, and their couples' dances were legendary. Fishing was one of her favorite hobbies, and she broke several cane poles putting her grandsons to shame with her latest haul at Maynor Creek, but she never got over the one that got away. Peggy had a wicked sense of humor, and a legendary wit. Her family recalls many phone calls with her beloved and recently deceased friend, Ellen Cooper (Lake McQueeny, Texas), that would dissolve into uncontrolled (in all senses of the word!) fits of laughter. She was helpful in letting you know if you had gained a pound (or three!) but would loudly tell you how good you looked if your outfit ticked all the right boxes. She was one of a kind.

The family wishes to thank her caregivers who she loved dearly including Marynell Phillips, Les Jensen, Tera Trudeau and Chelsea Hilburn. They were like family to her, and her life was enriched by their presence.

An online guestbook may be signed at www.colonialchapellaurel.com