LOCAL OBITUARY | On Friday, funeral arrangements for Gary Peels and Lori Peels, the couple killed in a Highway 82 head-on collision a week ago were announced. Lori passed away on April 21 as a result of that accident. Gary followed a few days later at Vanderbilt University Medical Center. He was able to be an organ donor.

Visitation with the family will happen on Saturday (April 29) from 3:30 to 8 p.m. at the Edgemont Baptist Church located at 150 Fairfield Pike in Shelbyville. Funeral services will follow on Sunday (April 30) at 2 p.m. Reverend Scott Reed will officiate and burial will follow in Hillcrest Memorial Gardens.

Obituary information for Lori Stoke Peels

Born in Bedford County on October 26, 1971 to Caleb Austin and Diana Faye Heflin Stokes, Lori worked with the Bedford County School System as a Special Education Assistant at Liberty School. Lori also served on the Board of Shining Stars, and held membership at Midland Heights Baptist Church.

In addition to her parents, survivors include her daughter, Hannah Lyn Peels, of Shelbyville; a sister, Julie Kay Stokes Haynes, and her husband Jeff, of Shelbyville; a nephew, Matthew Dillen Haynes and a niece, Sarah Grace Haynes, all of Shelbyville.

After graduating from Middle Tennessee State University in May 1994, Lori worked as a Purchaser for Edgcomb Metals in Murfreesboro. In 2002, Lori became a stay at home to her daughter Hannah. When Hannah started school, Lori began working for the Bedford County School System. According to her family, during Lori’s time with BCS, she not only helped students with their academic needs, she also made sure students had clothes, food and other personal items. Lori was her daughter Hannah’s biggest advocate but her heart was so big, she was also a huge advocate for the students she worked with every day, her family said.

“If you knew Lori, she always had a smile on her face and words of encouragement to share. Lori was a wonderful wife to her husband, mother to her daughter and fiercely loyal to her family and friends. Always able to see the good through life’s challenges. She was fond of saying, You can’t have a rainbow without a little rain.”

Obituary information for Gary Lyn Peels

Gary was born August 7, 1969, in Sparta, Tennessee, to Lena Dye Peels, of Shelbyville, and the late John Luther Peels. Gary was employed with Jack Daniel Distillery in Lynchburg, and held membership at Midland Heights Baptist Church.

In addition to his mother, survivors include a daughter, Hannah Lyn Peels, of Shelbyville; brothers and sisters, Robert M. Dye, and his wife Stephanie, of Unionville, John Dye, Jr. and his wife Brenda, of Mt. Juliet, Keith Richardson, and his wife Cherie, of Murfreesboro, David Cottrell, and his wife Ashley, of Nashville; Lori Hollis, Debbie Nichols, and her husband William, and Cyndi Paschal, and her husband Hollis, all of Shelbyville; special aunts, Laverta Peels, Carrie Cooley, and Audrey Stevenson of Shelbyville; cousins, Robin Cooley, Rhonda Harold, and her husband Scott, Jackson Finch, Caroline Finch, Roger Watkins, and Ricky Watkins, and Richard Stevenson, of Murfreesboro; numerous nieces and nephews, who loved him very much.

According to his family, Gary was a committed and dependable employee with G & D Trucking / Hoffman Transportation. He most recently worked as a tour guide with Jack Daniel Distillery in Lynchburg. His work families shared what a loyal friend and co-worker he was. “If you knew Gary then you know Gary lived his life to the fullest each day,” they said.

Being raised among Tennessee Walking Horses, Gary developed a love for animals at an early age. You could also find Gary on Saturday afternoons cheering on his favorite football team, Alabama. Gary was a devoted husband to Lori and father to Hannah. He was Hannah’s cheerleader and her Sweet Little Daddy. The bond between those two was none like no other. If you are family, a friend, or co-worker, then you were a blessing to Gary, and are blessed to have known him. Gary continued to put others before himself in his last days, as he was an organ donor which allowed others to have life.

A memorial account which will benefit their daughter, Hannah, has been established at Peoples Bank of Middle Tennessee, C/O Hannah Peels Benefit, 1122 North Main Street, Shelbyville, TN 37160.

Obituary information provided by Feldhaus Memorial Chapel in Shelbyville.•

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