Guy “Toby” “Pepi” Pealer entered peacefully into the presence of his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ on Wednesday, September 30, 2015. He was born April 6, 1929 in Johnson City to the late Adam Pealer and Virgie Frye Pealer.
Mr. Pealer spent his life from a very young age playing and performing music. He was known as a premier steel guitar player, but played many other instruments also. Many will remember him as Toby from the group Sagebrush Troubadours from the radio and as Pepi, one of the Mountain Music Makers of Bonnie Lou and Buster. He also owned Pepi’s Music Store located on Spring Street in downtown Johnson City until he relocated to North Roan Street near the Mall. Pepi loved music and sharing his talents with others. Until his health deteriorated he performed for churches, nursing homes and the VA long-term facility with The Country Classics. He was a member of East Unaka Baptist Church.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his wife, Ruby Sanders Pealer; a brother, Jack Pealer; and a sister, Bonnie Coffey.
Pepi leaves to cherish his memories three children, Elder Guy Pealer Jr. and his wife, Janie, of Clarksville, Va., Linda Palmer and her husband, Paige, of Jonesborough, and Rev. Bill Pealer and his wife, Debbie, of Bristol, Va.; a sister, Betty Woodson of Liberty, S.C.; six grandchildren; five great-grandchildren; a special sister-in-law, Ruth Tesneary; and several nieces and nephews.
Funeral services for Pepi will be conducted at 2 p.m. Saturday, October 3, at East Unaka Baptist Church, 1201 E. Unaka Avenue, Johnson City, with sons, Rev. Bill Pealer and Elder Guy Pealer Jr., officiating. Interment will follow in the Fairview Cemetery, Jonesborough. Grandchildren will serve as pallbearers. Honorary pallbearers will be the Country Classics Band and Milton Mounce. The family will receive friends at the church Saturday from noon until the service hour. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests that memorials be made to the East Unaka Baptist Church Benevolent Fund. The family would like to give special thanks to the Kingsport Amedisys Hospice Group and the Heavenly Sunshine Homecare. Condolences may be made online at www.wadugger.com.
Woodall-Anderson and Dugger Funeral Home, 108 W. Watauga Avenue, Johnson City, (423) 928-2245, is serving the Pealer family.