Rita Heriot Price Peeples

Rita Heriot Price Peeples died on Tuesday, August 31, in Raleigh, North Carolina. She was 87 years old. Born on December 5, 1933, in Bamberg, South Carolina to Emile Barnes “Josh” Price and Marguerite Rivers Heriot “ReRe” Price, Rita earned a BA in business from Columbia College in 1955. On June 16, 1956, she married Paul Wiggins Peeples, MD and moved to Greer, South Carolina, where she and Paul lived for more than 50 years. Together, they raised three children. Known for her proficiency as a contract bridge player, Rita was a teenager when her mother introduced her to the nuances of the game. After moving to Greer, she had the opportunity to refine her skills during weekly games, which led her to compete in contract bridge tournaments and achieve the status of Lifemaster. She was active in both Grace United Methodist Church and Memorial United Methodist Church in Greer singing in the choirs at both churches and directing the choir at Grace. She, along with her children, loved animals, always caring for family pets, and taking in the homeless dog or cat that “found its way” to their home. One could often find a rescued squirrel, possum or rabbit sheltered in the downstairs bathroom. Rita loved to travel with family and friends, but she most enjoyed the travels that brought together her children, grandchildren, great-grandsons, and their friends. Many cherished memories were made at Fripp Island and the lake house near Hogback Mountain. She was blessed a second time with the love of a kind man when she found and married Don Ashe. They shared the love of travel and music and the joy of friends and family. She was a member of the Society of First Families of South Carolina, the Huguenot Society of America, and the National Society of Colonial Dames of America. Rita was predeceased by her parents, her first husband, Paul, her son Paul Wiggins Peeples, Jr., and her grandson-in-law, Braford Neveu. She is survived by her husband Donald Ashe of Greenville, SC, her daughter Phyllis Mescon (Jed) of Chattanooga, TN, her daughter Margaret Morton (Doug) of Raleigh, her daughter-in-law Lisa Peeples of Mount Pleasant, her grandchildren Kendall Neveu of Memphis, AnnaGray Boechler (Major Michael) of Derwood, MD, Caroline English Mescon of Los Angeles, CA, Annie Bermudez (Bobby) of Mount Pleasant, Paul Peeples (Julie) of Mount Pleasant and Catherine Felton (Jordan) of Mount Pleasant, and great-grandsons Cooper and Henry Boechler of Derwood. A celebration of her life will take place in her beloved South Carolina low country in the fall. Memorials may be made in her name to Columbia College or your local Humane Society. Arrangements are by Bryan-Lee Funeral Home of Raleigh. Online condolences may be made at www.bryan-leefuneralhome.com ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~