Shirley Johnson Peay

Shirley Johnson Peay entered peacefully into heaven, surrounded by family, on Thursday, March 12, 2026, following a more than two-year cancer journey.

Shirley was born in Wilmington, NC, to George and Hazel Johnson on April 20, 1945. Her childhood included tree climbing, beach adventures, and marching in the New Hanover High School band. She attended the then East Carolina College, graduating with a degree in history and political science.

Shirley and her husband, Dwight, met during their teenage years and were married on June 30, 1968, at Sunset Park Baptist Church. They spent time in Maryland, where Shirley taught school before the two returned to North Carolina. She worked at NC State University libraries while Dwight completed his education.

After Dwight’s NC State graduation, they moved to Winston-Salem and then to Charlotte, spending weekends sailing on the lake. In 1979, the opportunity arose to move back to Wilmington to be near family.

Shirley devoted her early years of motherhood to family and home, and later returned to work as a preschool teacher. She and Dwight opened an amateur radio retail store, with Shirley managing the day-to-day operations while Dwight kept his full-time job. The shop became a true family business, with everyone pitching in on sales, marketing, and even radio repair. In time, the business expanded into computers and cell phones, with Shirley’s hands in every aspect — all while holding her family together and keeping a home.

Shirley did it all. She had Mom’s Taxi (the Low Flying Van). She was a den mother, choir mom, brownie leader, coach’s wife, line dancer, Hardee’s breakfast groupie, PTA mom, band mom, and maybe her favorite work and passion – Nana.

She loved being Nana to six grandchildren – three granddaughters followed by three grandsons. She was active in their lives from birth through her most recent days. In retirement, she and Dwight made their home in Fuquay-Varina, a place with enough space for the whole family to sit around the table and be together. They joined Fuquay-Varina United Methodist Church and found dear friends through the Wesleyan Class, who became faithful companions in these latter years.

Shirley is survived by her husband, Dwight M. Peay, Jr., of the home; son Dennis Peay, his wife Michelle, daughter Natasha, and son James, of Kinston; daughter Elizabeth Todd, her husband Leslie, daughter Natalie, and son Luke, of Fuquay-Varina; daughter Sarah Baxter, her husband Jeff, daughter Bailey and her fiancé Chayson Bass, and son Wyatt, of Willow Springs; and her brother, George Robert “Bob” Johnson and his wife Ann, of Greensboro. Shirley was preceded in death by her father, George Robinson Johnson, and her mother, Hazel Lanier Johnson.

The family will receive friends Saturday, March 21, 2026, at 1 PM, followed by a Service of Death and Resurrection celebrating Shirley’s life in the Centrum of Fuquay-Varina United Methodist Church at 2 PM.

In gratitude for the prayers, support, and friendship of the Wesleyan Class, staff, and friends of Fuquay-Varina United Methodist, please send memorial gifts to FVUMC in lieu of flowers. FVUMC, 100 S. Judd Parkway SE, Fuquay-Varina, NC 27526, or online: https://fvumc.org/give.