Peggy Eudine Horton, of Trussville, AL, passed away peacefully Monday morning, November 20, 2023, in Fernandina Beach, Florida.

Born to Jim and Odell Rowe on March 9, 1937, in Hackleburg, AL, Peggy was raised in Trussville with her two sisters and graduated from Hewitt High School. After high school she attended Auburn University where she studied interior design. In 1959, Peggy left Alabama for Los Angeles, where she worked as a technical illustrator for Renner Inc. It was there she met the love of her life, Charles B. Horton, of Dunbar, WV. They married in 1961 and would stay happily married for 56 years. They left LA for Charleston, WV, where Peggy supported the two while Charlie attended dental school at the University of West Virginia. After graduation Charlie joined the Navy, and together they began a lifetime of travel while raising their three boys. Being a Navy Officer’s wife Peggy thrived at each duty station, actively volunteering with the Officer’s Wives Club, American Red Cross and Navy Relief. In Okinawa she worked for a local travel agency and led tour groups across Southeast Asia, to places like Hong Kong, Thailand, Malaysia, Singapore, South Korea, and China. Peggy was fulfilling her lifetime dream of traveling the world. While in the Navy, Peggy and Charlie moved every three years to stations in Albany, GA, Naples, Italy, Rockville, MD, Meridian, MS, Jacksonville, FL, Okinawa, Japan, and Parris Island, SC. But it was Fernandina that Peggy fell in love with most, and where they chose to retire in 1996, after 32 years of Navy life.

While Charlie was serving in the Navy, Peggy was always active in the communities they called home. The American Red Cross was a constant in her volunteerism at every station, instilling the virtues of volunteer work in her boys. Her austere upbringing stayed with her throughout her life. Always appreciative, “we are very fortunate” was a frequent response she would share.

Peggy was also a successful entrepreneur and Centre Street business owner. She co-founded The Gamekeeper in 1982, and was a partner in Southern Touch, another unique Centre Street business. One of her biggest contributions to this local community was her involvement with the Amelia Community Theater and its founding in 1981. She and Charlie were integral in establishing ACT and were charter members. They were also active and dedicated members of the Memorial United Methodist Church on Centre Street, where they attended service reliably together.

Peggy is predeceased by her parents, Jim and Odell Rowe, sister Laverne, and her husband of 56 years Charlie Horton who passed away in 2018.

She is survived by her three sons: Christopher (Jennifer) of Atlanta; Jeff (Susan) of Pensacola and Chad of Amelia Island. Grandchildren: Jenna of Atlanta; Chase (Danielle) of Charlotte; Sebryn of Pensacola; Slaton (Bailey) of Charleston; Ashley, Lindsey, and Blake of Statesboro, GA, as well as sister and brother-in-law, Jane and Wayne Bond of Columbus, GA.

Peggy will be laid to rest next to her husband and lifelong partner in Bosque Bello Cemetery, in Fernandina Beach, FL.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations can be made to the Amelia Community Theatre, 207 Cedar Street, Fernandina Beach, FL 32034 or online at ww.ameliacommunitytheatre.org.