Obituary for Marianne Wilson Matthews Peak, former Decatur Resident

Marianne Wilson Matthews Peak, 73, passed away on Friday, Nov. 1, 2013 at North Fulton Hospital in Roswell, Ga., after a period of declining health due to ovarian cancer treatment.

She was born on Feb. 23, 1940, in Washington, D.C., to Forrest Franklin and Doris Marguerite Wilson Matthews. Marianne grew up in Atlanta and Decatur, GA. She graduated from Decatur High School in Decatur, GA, in 1957, then received a Bachelor of Arts in Biology from Vanderbilt University in Nashville, Tenn., in 1961.  In Nashville, she and her younger sister Doris lived with her aunt and uncle, Cornelia and Russell Speights, after their mother’s death in 1957. 

Marianne became a science teacher and worked for Fulton County School District and Muscogee County School District for more than 30 years.  She married Floyd Arden Peak in 1961, and they were married for 25 years until 1987. Marianne lived most of her adult life in Columbus, but also lived in Americus and Dallas, Texas. She was a member of First Baptist Church of Columbus, GA, and an active member of science teacher associations until her retirement in 2003.  After 2004, she lived in Roswell, GA, and became a watch-care member of First Baptist Church of Roswell.  She enjoyed teaching about everything, genealogy, shopping, collectibles, antiques, telling family stories, and spending time with her family.

Marianne is survived by her two sons (and their spouses), Dr. Russell Speights (Haruko) Peak, a senior researcher at Georgia Tech, of Roswell, GA, and Dr. Edwin Louis (Rebecca) Peak, an orthopaedic surgeon and total joint replacement specialist, of Hickory, NC; two sisters, Jeanne Matthews (Roland) Haydel of Woodstock, GA, and Doris Franklin Matthews of Nashville, TN;  six grandchildren, Deborah Joy Peak, Jonathan Russell Peak, Alexander Rogan Peak, Joseph Speights Peak, Caroline Lindsay Peak, and Emily Amanda Peak; and numerous nieces, nephews, other relatives, and special friend Karen White of Roswell, GA.  Marianne was preceded in death by her parents, Doris Marguerite Wilson Matthews and Forrest Franklin Matthews, and her beloved aunt and uncle, Cornelia Amanda Wilson Speights and Russell Louis Speights. 

A visitation will be held on Thursday, Nov. 7, 2013 at 10 a.m. at First Baptist Church of Roswell, 710 Mimosa Blvd., Roswell, Ga 30075, immediately followed by a memorial service at 11 a.m. with Dr. Ron Bradley officiating. Lunch for all guests will follow in the church’s fellowship hall.  Burial will follow at 2:30 PM at the Southview Section of Covington City Cemetery, located off Southview Drive near Church Street in Covington.

The family has entrusted arrangements to H.M. Patterson & Son-Canton Hill Chapel, 1157 Old Canton Road NE, Marietta, GA 30068, 770-977-9485.  In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to First Baptist Church of Roswell, 710 Mimosa Blvd., Roswell, GA 30075 (www.rfbc.org); North Fulton Community Charities, 11270 Elkins Rd., Roswell, GA 30076 (nfcchelp.org), or Grady Burn Center, Grady Memorial Hospital - 3rd Floor, West Tower - B Wing, 80 Jesse Hill Jr. Drive SE, Atlanta, GA 30303. Online condolences may be expressed at www.hmpattersoncantonhill.com