Peggy Ann Smith Ellington

Peggy Smith Ellington, 75, was called home to her heavenly reward on Sunday, June 25, 2017, with her beloved family at her side at Chatham Hospital. They had watched her valiantly fight a nine-year battle that began with a tumor on her brain stem in 2008 and ended only days from her fifty-second wedding anniversary. She was the daughter of Herbert Allen and Mary Frances Ivey Smith and a sister to Ruth Hissong, who preceded her in death. She is survived by her husband, Wayne Ellington; daughter, Holly and grandson, Will (Dasha) O’Briant; granddaughter, Robin (Ryan) Mashburn, great-granddaughter, Reagan, brother, Al (Marianne) Smith, and special friend, June McAllister, all of Siler City, as well as numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins.  As a final tribute to his cherished cousin, Robert Womble drove two thousand miles from Wyoming to be at her side. Peggy pursued her lifelong dream of being a nurse, first becoming a licensed LPN and immediately continuing her training to become a registered nurse. She served in multiple locales, including Lee, Randolph, Moore, and Guilford counties, with extended assignments at Chatham Hospital and SunBridge in Siler City. She was widely recruited throughout her career and continued to receive, even after retirement, offers as far away as Hawaii. There were incidents when she was called from home in the middle of the night to begin a particularly difficult infusion. Hers was an undeniable skill, but one she always attributed to the tutelage of Dr. Rao Kothapalli. Her extraordinary touch was a marvel to her many patients and colleagues. When she faced her medical diagnosis, she herself became the recipient of that exceptional type of nurturing care. The family wishes to acknowledge the superb care from her Duke medical team, Dr. Henry Friedman, Dr. John Kirkpatrick, and Dr. Annick Desjardins; from Chatham Primary Care, Dr. Jim Davis and Dr. David Gibson; from Liberty Home Health, Kathy Moffitt, and from the Chatham Hospital staff, including Dr. Erica Pettigrew, who all were kind, attentive, and professional in their constant efforts to ease and comfort her. Her legacy was one of profound love for and service to her family upon whom she lavished her extravagant gifts. Her family adored her in return.  Her cooking was legendary, with banana pudding a specialty, and large family gatherings brought her immense joy. Much of what she did for others, and especially families in need at holidays or in other trying circumstances with food, clothing, and gifts of monetary support, was purposefully under the radar, as she was committed to living out Matthew 6:4, which calls God’s children to do charitable deeds in secret, not for man’s applause, but for the Father who sees in secret and rewards openly. She was a member of First Baptist Church of Siler City. A graveside service will be observed on Tuesday, June 27 at 2pm at Oakwood Cemetery in the family plot. Memorials may be made to the kitchen renovation fund at First Baptist Church, 314 North Second Avenue, Siler City, NC 27344 or to Chatham County Relay for Life, c/o Ann McDaniel, PO Box 522, Siler City, NC 27344. Online condolences may be made at www.pughfuneralhome.com