Peggy Cantelou

PEGGY BEASLEY CANTELOU

Peggy Beasley Cantelou, of Columbus, MS died October 20, 2021 after a brief illness.

Peggy Beasley Cantelou was born on December 30, 1932, the only child of Mr. and Mrs. Ross Beasley.  She was educated in the public schools of Columbus and graduated Valedictorian of her class at Stephen D. Lee High School.  While in high school, she was chosen "Most Intellectual" and served as a majorette in the band.

She attended Mississippi State College for Women, graduating summa cum laude, being recognized as being the only student in her class to receive no grade lower than an "A" her entire time at MSCW.

After graduation, she was married to Robert A. Russell of Carpenter, Mississippi.  This union produced two daughters, Melissa Russell Murphree and Renee Russell Burge.  The couple lived happily in Columbus, where Bob Russell was employed by Mitchell Engineering, and Peggy served as a substitute teacher in the Columbus public schools from 1964 to 1979.

Throughout her life, Peggy was active in the First United Methodist Church of Columbus, where she served as president of the Methodist Women.  When Bob Russell was tragically killed in an accident in 1980, Peggy found that her church was a source of great comfort.  She taught Bible study for her church circle and enjoyed playing the piano for her Fellowship Class.  She also served as Chairwoman of the Commission on Missions.

Peggy was very active in community and civic affairs in Columbus.  She was President of the Garden Club Council of Columbus, President of the Four Seasons Garden Club, President of Les Amies Study Club, and President of the Columbus Literary Club.  She was very proud of having served on the first jury in the State of Mississippi upon which women were allowed to serve, in 1966.  She was a founding member of the Southern Historical Preservation Society and a Patron of Excellence at Mississippi State University.

In December 1984, Peggy married Lamar Black Cantelou, a widower, and they enjoyed traveling the world together.  Before Lamar died in 2000, the couple had toured 18 different foreign countries, and had made extensive trips in the United States.  She especially enjoyed her relationship with Lamar's two sons, Dexter Cantelou and Colonel Campbell Cantelou.

Her family admired her ability to adapt to changes in her life and her lively interest in all the affairs of her numerous grandchildren.  When toward the close of her life she had to give up the house she had lived in for so many years and move to an assisted living facility, Peggy got busy making new friends and enjoying the activities of her new home.

She is survived by her two daughters: Melissa Russell Murphree of Jackson, who is married to Robert S. Murphree and Renee Russell Burge of Madison.  She is also survived by her two stepsons: Colonel Campbell Cantelou, married to Janice Cantelou, of Pinehurst, North Carolina and Dexter Cantelou and his wife, Elaine, of Chattanooga, Tennessee. Also surviving are her grandchildren: Dr. Catherine Russell Murphree of New Orleans, Louisiana, Caroline Murphree Roberson and her husband, Jason Roberson, of Nashville, Tennessee; Allison Burge Clayton and her husband, Kevin, of Memphis, Tennessee; Morgan Cantelou of Charlotte, North Carolina; Katherine Cantelou Chappell and her husband, Will, of Dalton, Georgia; Parker Cantelou of Jacksonville, Florida; and Major Lamar Cantelou and his wife, Carlee, of Hawaii. She is also survived by six great grandchildren.

Visitation for Mrs. Peggy Cantelou will be Monday, October 25, 2021 from 11:00 am to 1:00 pm at First United Methodist Church of Columbus, Mississippi. The funeral service will follow at 1:00 pm at the church with Rev. Jimmy Criddle, Rev. Anne Russell Bradley, and Rev. Aislinn Kopp officiating.  Burial will be in Friendship Cemetery.

Memorials may be made to The First United Methodist Church of Columbus: PO BOX 32 Columbus, MS 39703.