Ona Rivers Pegues, affectionately known as “Pearl”, was born on January 22, 1934, in Marlboro County, SC to the late Mr. John Rivers and Ruthie C. Covington. Ona departed this life on August 2, 2021 at Wake Forest Baptist Health High Point Medical Center. On November 17, 1949, Ona married the late Frank Pegues to whom she remained faithful for 56 years until his death in April 2005. To this union, they were blessed with ten wonderful children.

Ona accepted Christ as her Lord and Savior at a very early age. She was a member of St. Paul A.M.E. Zion Church, Adamsville Community of McColl, SC where she was consecrated and served as a Deaconess. Frank and Ona moved to High Point, NC in January 1965 and they joined St. Stephen A.M.E. Zion Church in 1966. Since joining St. Stephen, she has been a faithful member serving on the Senior Usher Board, President of the Young Adult Usher Board, Class Leader, Hospitality Ministry, Lay Council, Jr. Girl Scout Leader, Leader over the kitchen, Life Member of the Women’s Home and Overseas Missionary Society, Advisor of Usher Board #2 which she started in 1980, and President of several Junior Usher Boards. She was an active usher in the Greensboro District and the West Central NC Conference.

She has four sons in the ministry and she also helped them in their churches. Ona was a Salad Chef for 36 years at the High Point Emerywood Country Club until she retired. In addition to serving in her church roles, Ona loved spending time with her family, shopping, cooking and catering for special occasions. Ona had a special love for plants and flowers and was quite the Horticulturist. Ona loved the Pegues-Newton Family Reunion and was instrumental alongside her husband in getting the reunion started. Ona was the last living Aunt of this family legacy.

Ona was preceded in death by her husband: Frank Pegues; parents: John Rivers and Ruthie C. Covington; grandparents: Odd and Druscilla Covington; son, Oscar Douglas Pegues (Janet); daughter Gwendolyn Pegues Quick (Thomas); son-in-law, Franklin Bivens; granddaughter, LaTosha Pegues and grandson, Tre’Corious Bethea.

Ona leaves to cherish her memories, eight children: Julia P. Bivens, Artie Pegues (Sharon), Lithia Springs GA, Rev. Fredrick W. Pegues, Sr. (Rev. Tina), Greensboro NC, Rev. Dr. Alton Pegues (Katrina), Durham NC, Elder Shelby Pegues (Cheryl), Harriet P. Cobbs (Richard), LaVerne Pegues, Clinton MD; Rev. Dr. William F. Pegues (Rev. Dorothy), Greensboro NC; adopted sons, Grady Barbee and Micheal Drummer; fifty-nine grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and great-great grandchildren; special friends Rosa Medley, Fannie Lee Tillman, Kathy Bailey, Carol Collier, Hester Cunningham, Cynethia Moore, Forest & Terri Fleming, Mary Ware, Eula Nance; and a host of nieces, nephews, and other relatives and friends.

Funeral service will be held, Tuesday, August 10, 2021 at 12:00 p.m. at St. Stephen Metropolitan A.M.E. Zion Church. The family will receive friends at the church from 11:00 a.m. until 12:00 p.m. Interment will follow at Carolina Biblical Gardens.

Final arrangements are entrusted to Phillips Funeral Service, Inc.