Rebecca Peeples Chess, age 90, was born on May 31, 1927, in Allendale to the late Willie and Choicey Graham Peeples. Rebecca was the sibling of 14 brothers and sisters. She was reared and fostered by a community known to many as “Best Plantation”, where she was respectful, and honored both God and her parents all the days of their lives.
Rebecca’s formative years of education were provided by teachers and mentors of the Bull Pond Schools of Allendale County. In the year of 1937, at the age of 10, Rebecca accepted Jesus Christ as both Lord and Savior. She then united with the St. Mark Missionary Baptist Church under the late Rev. Brooks.
Rebecca, as a seed of Righteousness, centered her entire life around God first, His Kingdom of Righteousness, Peace, and a Joy that is found in the Holy Ghost. Her perfecting of Sainthood and edification in the Body of Christ arises from the Trinity, the Will and Word of God, and through the following pastors and churches: The late Rev. Brooks (St. Mark Missionary Baptist Church), the late Rev. P.W. Williams (St. Luke Missionary Baptist Church), Bishop R.E. Holts (New Hope Missionary Baptist Church), and Pastor L. Gibson (Fruit of the Spirit Ministry).
Rebecca, knowing God’s will for marriage, united in Holy Matrimony on September 29, 1945, to the late Ervin Chess in Allendale. As a newlywed couple, she and Ervin relocated to South Florida. It is there in Miami where they began their new life and reared their family. Rebecca, in the union to Ervin, became the mother of six children. For 57 years and until his passing, Ervin and Rebecca formed a strong union of oneness, devotion, trust, and love. She was diligently employed as a home administrator and caregiver for over 40 years.
As a Mother of Zion, Rebecca’s parenting extended far beyond her biological family to many others.
Rebecca, in the Grace of God, willingly supported her neighbors, family, and friends with unconditional love. She, in the virtues of a godly woman, continually rendered selfless service to the Body of Christ.
Through the Holy Spirit, the Word of God and prayer, Rebecca utilized her many gifts and talents to support the Kingdom of God. Rebecca, in the gift of exhortation, spent her time praying, encouraging, offering salvation, hope, and inspiring others in the grace and love of Jesus Christ.
Besides her parents and grandparents, she is preceded in death by her husband, Ervin Chess; five sisters, Nora Capers, Idella Drayton, Hattie Miller, Mabel Graham, and Mamie Bassett; and four brothers, Willie Peeples, Tony Peeples, Cleveland Peeples, and Ulysses Peeples.
On the morning of Wednesday, July 26, 2017, God, in His infinite wisdom, called Rebecca Peeples Chess from labor to reward in the comfort of her home. She leaves behind a rich legacy of the four generations of her six children, Annie (Hershey) Graham of Allendale, Marion Chess of Ft. Lauderdale, Fla., Percy Chess, Pastor Lucritia Gibson, Erwin Chess, and Rev. Elouise (Rev. Lem) Williams, all of Atlanta, Ga.; 17 grandchildren; 44 great-grandchildren; 26 great-great-grandchildren; and two great-great-great-grandchildren. She also leaves behind four siblings, Holman (Georgia) Peeples and Blanche Green of Allendale, Henry Peeples of Ft. Lauderdale, Fla., and McKinley Peeples of Los Angeles, Calif., and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, other relatives, neighbors, and friends.
A Celebration of Life service was held on Sunday, July 30, 2017 at 1 p.m. at St. Mark Missionary Baptist Church in Allendale with Rev. Lucritia Gibson as eulogist. Interment followed at St. Paul Cemetery in Allendale.
B.F. Cave Funeral Home assisted the family with arrangements.