EMILY JILL PETERS
Jan. 5, 2000–Aug. 26, 2018
Emily Jill Peters, 18, of Pikeville, passed away Sunday and is now breathing easy. She was born with Cystic Fibrosis. Emily was the cherished daughter of Mike and Meredith Peters and loving sister of Sarah Grace Peters.
Emily recently was accepted to her freshman year at Meredith College and deferred beginning for a year while she waited for her lung transplant. She was a 2018 graduate of Wayne School of Engineering. Emily loved her friends from the School of Engineering and St. Mary Catholic School where she attended elementary and middle school.
Oldest of two girls, Emily admired and loved her sister Sarah, age 11. The bond between these two was strong and will endure forever in memories and traditions.
Emily taught us all how to smile, laugh and love while living with the tremendous burden of Cystic Fibrosis (CF). She wanted it to be known that she fought like hell until the end. Emily worked tirelessly to maintain her health, never complaining and reluctant to reveal her struggles, instead choosing to care for others, be joyful, live with elegance and laugh. She will always be remembered for her amazing smile, sense of humor and feistiness, and magical ability to make you feel special.
While Emily did not let CF define her, she always felt the need to give back. Not surprisingly, Emily had a very special relationship with her doctor and caregivers. Their mutual affection was forged through years of office visits, hospital stays and endless counseling. Affectionate negotiations were often made, and in the end, Emily always found a way to thank them for their care.
Meredith and Mike would like to thank her CF Team of 18 years, Dr. Margaret Leigh, Sheree Berckmans, Martha Taylor, Benjamin Butler and countless others; her PT and Pulmonary Rehab buddies at Wayne UNC; her FNP, Melissa Smith; her childhood caregiver and playmate, Lorraine "Ray Ray" Cannady; and her best friend, Mara Rozzi.
Emily is survived by her parents, Meredith and Mike Peters; a sister, Sarah Grace; maternal grandparents, Wayne Aycock and wife, Linda, of Pikeville; and paternal grandparents, Jerry Peters of Pikeville and Charlotte and William Clark of Anchorage, Alaska. She is also survived by her aunts, uncles and cousins: Trey and Lori Aycock of Greensboro and their children, Grant, Tate and Tanner, Will Aycock of Pikeville, Catherine and Craig Peters of Atlanta, Georgia and their children, Will and Matt, as well as many other family members who loved Em very much. Emily was preceded in death by her grandmother and partner in crime, Pam Aycock.
Emily did not want a funeral but requested a celebration of her life, so a service to celebrate Emily’s life will be held at 7 p.m. on Thursday, Aug. 30, 2018, at the Pikeville Church, 336 Nahunta Road, Pikeville, with her pastor, Mark Whitfield officiating. The family will greet friends Thursday at the church immediately following the service and at other times in their home. Please honor Em's request and do not wear black! A private graveside service for the family will be held in the Aycock Family Cemetery.
During her short life, Emily touched many people in so many ways. Please always remember Emily and spread her smile, strength and courage throughout your lives. Thanks to everyone for their support and outpouring of love, as Em would always say "breathe out some love today."
In lieu of flowers, Emily requested that donations be made to the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation, 7101 Creedmoor Road, Suite 130, Raleigh, N.C., 27613.
Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.seymourfuneralhome.com.
(Pd)
Published in Obituaries on August 28, 2018 8:05 AM