The Chattanoogan

February 20, 2012, Mon

Peavyhouse, Charles E.

Longtime Republican Stalwart Was Former Hamilton County Principal

Charles E. Peavyhouse, 83, of Hixson, died on Sunday morning, February 19, 2012.

Charles was born in Detroit to Hugh and Lona (Webb) Peavyhouse. He grew up in Rhea County, and graduated from Rhea Central High School in 1947, where he also belonged to the Golden Oldies alumni group. He received an A.A. from Tennessee Wesleyan College in 1949, a B.S. from East Tennessee State University in 1954, and an M.A. in School Administration from Vanderbilt - Peabody College in 1956.

He was an active member of Hixson United Methodist Church for over 50 years, serving as the first president of the Men's Club, and was on the Administrative Board, Board of Trustees, and other committees. He was a member of the Sam McConnell Sunday School Class. He was Past Master of Hixson Lodge F&AM #727 and Past Patron of Hixson Chapter #310 Order of Eastern Star.

From December 1951 to January 1953, Charles served active duty in the U.S. Army, after which he joined the Army Reserves. In September 1988, following 37 years of service, he retired from the Reserves with the rank of Sgt. Major. He was awarded the Army Commendation Medal and Army Meritorious Service Medals. He also served with the Tennessee Defense Forces as Lt. Col. He was a member of VFW Post #1289 in Chattanooga, the American Legion Post #203 in Spring City, Tennessee. An expert marksman, he was a member of the U.S. Army Reserve national winning rifle team.

He began his education career as principal of Midway Elementary School in Washington County, Tennessee. In 1957, he moved to Hamilton County, where he taught at Pineville School and later became principal there. He worked in the central office of the Hamilton County Department of Education as truant officer and supervisor of special education. He served as principal of Bachman and Falling Water elementary schools before retiring in 1990.

In 1981, Charles was awarded the Freedoms Foundation Principals Award. In 1987, he was recipient of the Governor's Exemplary Award in Basic Skills First program, and in 1990, he received the Tennessee's National Distinguished Elementary School Principals Award. He was an active supporter of Tennessee Wesleyan College, and received awards for Friend of Wesleyan and Distinguished Alumnus of the Year. In 2009, he was awarded an Honorary Doctorate degree in Public Service from TWC.

For several years, Charles played a very active role in the Republican Party. He was chairman of the Hamilton County Republican Party from 1984 to 1986, and is a long-time member of the Pachyderm Club. He served as a delegate to the National Republican Convention for Ronald Regan in 1984, and again in 2000 for George W. Bush. He served as an alternate delegate in 1988, 1992, 1996, and 2004. He served as 3rd Congressional District campaign manager for Gov. Don Sundquist and President George W. Bush. In May, 2011, he was honored by a group of Republican friends at the Chattanooga Choo-Choo in recognition of his years of service in the Republican Party.

He was appointed to the Tennessee Wildlife Commission twice, once in 1985 by Gov. Lamar Alexander, and again in 1997 by Gov. Don Sundquist. He was only the third person in the history of the agency to be appointed by two governors. He also served on the Hamilton County Community Service and Chattanooga Human Services committees.

He was preceded in death by father Hugh Peavyhouse, mother Lona Cunningham, stepfathers Bob Brown and Lloyd Cunningham, brother Ray Myron Peavyhouse, and sisters Chloe Curtin and Nila Kay Peavyhouse.

Charles is survived by his wife, Eula Mae (Wade), daughters Jane (Harmon) Jolley, Carol Bieter, grandchildren Danya Melton, Jenny Bieter, Katrina, Travis, and Curtis Jolley, and great-grandchildren Sierra and Justin Crutcher. He is also survived by sister Marguerite (Mel) Millican, sister-in-law Jean Peavyhouse, and several nieces and nephews.

The family will receive friends from 4 to 8 p.m. on Tuesday at the North Chapel of Chattanooga Funeral Home.

Graveside services for Charles will be held at 11 a.m. on Wednesday at Hamilton Memorial Gardens with Rev. Randy Martin and Rev. Paul Longmire officiating. Pallbearers will be Judge David Bales, County Commissioner Joe Graham, Ken Miller, Butch Allen, Nick Bieter and Gene Oliver.

A Memorial service for Charles will be held at 2 p.m. on Sunday at Hixson United Methodist Church, 5301 Old Hixson Pike, Hixson, with Dr. John Bacon, Rev. Randy Martin, Rev. Paul Longmire, Rev. Mitch McClure and Judge Clarence Shattuck officiating.

The family asks that in lieu of flowers, contributions be made to the Charles Peavyhouse scholarship at Tennessee Wesleyan College, PO Box 40, 204 East College Street, Athens, Tennessee 37371-0040.

Arrangements are by the North Chapel of Chattanooga Funeral Home, Crematory and Florist, 5401 Highway 153, Hixson, TN 37343.