Pastor James Denson Peel

Pastor James Denson Peel, Jr. age 87, passed away on December 16, 2022.

James Peel was born in Montgomery, AL, on July 9, 1935, the son of the late James Denson Peel and Edna Coker Peel. He graduated from Southern Missionary College in May 1958, earning a Bachelor’s Degree. In August of that year, he married Rae Reta Meyers, his wife for 64 years. He later earned a Master’s Degree from Andrews University in Berrien Springs, Michigan. Pastor Peel taught at Pell City Elementary School in Pell City, Alabama for two years and then taught Bible, History and Driver’s Education for twenty years at Fletcher Academy in Fletcher, North Carolina. For five years he was a singing evangelist for the Arkansas-Louisiana Conference of Seventh-day Adventists. He continued his career by pastoring Seventh-day Adventist Churches in Houma, Louisiana, Kingsport and Bristol, Tennessee, as well as Ellijay and Jasper, Georgia. In his spare time, James enjoyed gardening, photography, and travel. He also enjoyed writing, and wrote many articles which were published in Ellijay’s Times-Courier. In addition to his parents, Pastor Peel was preceded in death by his younger brother, Robert Peel.

Survivors include his wife, Rae Reta Meyers Peel; two sons, Gerald Peel (Susan), Michael Peel (Lisa); daughter, Cindy Peel Lemon (Jeff); cousin, Kevin Costello (Teresa); seven grandchildren—Christopher Peel, Michael David Peel, Matthew Peel, Heather Peel Orvek (David), Shawn Lemon, Jordan Lemon, and Kiona Costello, as well as great-grandchild Ivy Peel.

A Celebration of Life will be held at 11:00am on December 30 with visitation beginning at 10am at Collegedale Seventh-Day Adventist Church, located at 4829 College Drive East, Collegedale TN 37315.

To post tributes and share memories, visit the online obituary at companionfunerals.com/obituaries/obituary-listings

In lieu of flowers, consider donating to Fletcher Academy’s Student Assistance Fund at: https://fletcheracademy.org/give/ | 185 Fletcher Academy Drive; PO Box 5440; Fletcher, NC 28732.