Christine Peeler Whitton

Christine Peeler Whitton, of Salisbury, NC and Blowing Rock, NC, died on August 13, 2009. Chris (Christie to some) was born in Salisbury, NC to Christine Hudson Peeler and A. Gregory Peeler, Jr. on October 5, 1934. She attended Boyden High School in Salisbury, Stephen’s College (1951-53) in Columbia, MO and the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill (1953-54). At Chapel Hill she met and married James G. Whiiton of Larchmont, NY. The couple spent their first years together on the US Naval Base at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba. Upon discharge, the Whittons moved to Greensboro, NC where Jim was employed at Bamby Bakers, Inc., a wholesale baking company founded by Chris’ grandfather. For the next 15 years, Chris volunteered (and held leadership roles) with the Symphony Guild, Evergreens Nursing Home, Switchboard Crisis Control Center, Greensboro Preservation Society, North Carolina Children’s Home Society and ten years with the Junior League culminating in her serving two terms as President. Chris treasured many special friends, with whom great times were shared, entertaining, being entertained, traveling, or celebrating the UNC Tar Heels. In 1974, Chris and Jim moved to her hometown of Salisbury, NC and became members of St. John’s Lutheran Church. Chris’ community commitment continued and expanded in Salisbury. She played key roles, often for more than one term, with the Rowan County United Way, the Salisbury-Rowan Arts Council, the Salisbury Board of Education, the Salisbury-Rowan Chamber of Commerce, the Planning Board of the North Carolina United Way, the Waterworks Visual Arts Center, Rowan Regional Medical Center Foundation, the Historic Salisbury Foundation, the Rowan County Tourism and Convention Development Authority, and the Salisbury Community Foundation. Wherever she served, she more often than not took the lead in bold fundraising efforts that often changed the future of each organization and all those served. Two crowning achievements among all of Chris’ efforts were the Waterworks Visual Arts Center and the campaign to restore and preserve Salisbury’s historic train depot. For that effort, she was awarded the 1991 Clement Cup Chris also owned and operated Copeland Collection, a specialty gift shop for ten years. As she did in Greensboro, Chris had many special friends throughout Salisbury who cherished her indomitable, generous, joyful and “tell it like it is” spirit. She took great pride in her membership in the Oasis Book Club, Salisbury’s oldest. She is survived by her husband, James G. Whitton, son, James G. Whitton, Jr. and wife Barbara of Amarillo, TX; two daughters, Anne Whitton Bolyea of Banner Elk, and Jane Whitton Trevey and husband Chris of Greensboro, NC; three grandchildren, Walker James Trevey, Christopher Whitton Trevey, and Cullen Michael Bolyea; and two sisters, Anne Peeler West of Savannah, GA, and Gregory Peeler Anderson and husband Taz of Atlanta, GA. After a private burial, a Memorial Service will be held at St. John’s Lutheran Church at 2:00 PM on Sunday, August 16, 2009. The family will receive friends at their home at 1 Dogwood Road between 3 pm and 6 pm on Saturday, August 15, 2009. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Rowan Regional Hospice, 720 Grove St. Salisbury, NC 28144 or to the charity of your choice. Summersett Funeral Home is serving the Whitton Family. Online condolences may be made at www.summersettfuneralhome.com.

Christine Peeler Whitton

October 5, 1934 - August 13, 2009