SPOTLIGHT ON...
Peggy Day
Story written by Lynda Stevens
Fundraising began at an early age for Peggy Day. One morning, during school assembly, the stage looked like it needed sprucing up a bit but there was a small problem, lack of funds. Peggy suggested the students donate nickels and dimes, ask parents, even ask people in her town to support their efforts. And they did. A large Lily was purchased and that was the beginning of Peggy’s fondness for raising funds. (When I visited her for this interview,
her daughter added “That has been the theme all her life.”)
Peggy attended Nahunta High School, in Nahunt, Georgia. She learned to cook in Home Economics classes and from her Mama who cooked meals in the school lunch room. During her last year in school one of her brothers was being tormented by a few bullies. Without hesitation Peggy intervened, kicked them into a ditch and made them promise not to hurt her brother again. Mama never knew what happened of course. Yes, typically, the boys got up to all sorts of trouble, one being smoking. The school didn’t know how to stop them so a special area on the corner of the school lot was set aside for them.
Following graduation Peggy moved to Brunswick for work. She quickly found a job in sales at a small store. Not long after she learned that the Telephone Company was hiring. She walked into the building and was greeted by a woman sitting behind a desk reading a magazine. “Would you sit down and read me a paragraph?” she asked.
Peggy read for her and was hired on the spot. She obviously had the kind of voice so needed. Peggy operated a switchboard and smiled as she told me about the men who would call...some to ask her out, some just looking to hear a friendly female voice (the building was located between the US Navy Yard and the US Coast Guard). Peggy
was soon promoted to train new employees in all the aspects of the job. On one occasion a little boy called in crying his eyes out. When questioned he said he just wanted to talk to his Nana but was crying because if his Mama found out he’d get a whoopin’.
Peggy and her newfound girlfriends attended dance classes and one evening a young man walked into the class and immediately Peggy’s eyes met his. As soon as the music started this young man walked right up to her and they danced. This young man, Waco, became Peggy’s husband and they danced through life together for 60+ years.
They moved to New Smyrna Beach when Coronado Church was in its infancy. Both made huge donations to the church in their time, Peggy’s fundraising skills, and a very generous financial donation. Peggy was instrumental in the start-up of the Boutique. It was not looked upon too kindly initially, however over the years this arm of the church’s finances have proved invaluable. Peggy also used her culinary skills, adding to the church’s finances helping to form the church as we see it today. Hot meals were served to one and all for $5. Many of the male church members helped cook, clean-up the kitchen, and nothing went to waste. Leftovers were given to those in the community who lived out in the open.
Thank you Peggy for sharing this part of your life. I know you have many more stories tucked away.
