Mr. Verlin O. Peacock Sr., 76, formerly of Yulee, passed away at his home in Jacksonville on Saturday morning, Aug. 27, 2016.
Born in Eastman, Ga., he was one of eight children born to the late Thomas Martin and Annie Lois Haynes Peacock. At the age of 4, he and his family moved to North Jacksonville. In 1958, he married a Jacksonville native, Eva Ann Caldwell. The newlyweds made their first home in Garden City.
For many years, Mr. Peacock ran a milk route for Holly Hill Dairy before joining Liberty National Life Insurance Co. in 1971. During his years with Liberty National, he was more than the insurance agent, but became a friend and adviser to many residents of Yulee and Fernandina Beach. Verlin remained with Liberty National for 27 years before retiring to take care of his wife, who passed away in 2003. He had also worked with Oxley-Heard Funeral Directors during the mid-1990s until the mid-2000s. In July 2006, Verlin and Portia L. “Bunny” Jones married.
Early in his life, he enjoyed fishing, woodworking and yardwork. As he reached the age of retirement, he began enjoying relaxation and traveling with Bunny.
Mr. Peacock was a former member of Main Street Baptist Church and had attended Celebration Baptist Church in Yulee.
In addition to his parents and first wife, he was preceded in death by a daughter, Donna Gail Peacock; two brothers, Elmer and Charles; and a sister, Alene Rand.
He leaves behind his wife, Bunny Peacock of Jacksonville; children, Verlin O. “Buddy” Peacock Jr. of Lake Asbury, Debbie Dow and her husband, Ricky, and Joyce Peterson and her husband, Tommy, all of Yulee, and Jamie Freeland and Amanda Dickinson, both of Jacksonville; brothers and sisters, Ray Peacock of Marion, Ark., Edwin Peacock of Jacksonville, David Peacock of Callahan, Melba Ayres and her husband, Don, of Suffolk, Va., Alan Jones of Yulee, Gail Hurst and her husband, Frank, of Fernandina Beach, and Yvonne Smith and her husband, Skip, of Columbia, S.C.; grandchildren, Ricky Dow Jr., Rika Dow, Angela Mosley, Ryan Mosley, Julie Peterson, Justin Peterson and his wife, Katy, Jourdan Dickinson and Cheyenne Freeland; five great-grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews.
Funeral services will be at 11 a.m. Thursday, Sept. 1, at Celebration Baptist Church with his grandson, Justin Peterson, officiating.
Mr. Peacock will be laid to rest at 2:30 p.m. beside his daughter and former wife in Evergreen Cemetery.
His family will receive friends on Wednesday from 5-7 p.m. at Oxley-Heard.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Community Hospice of Northeast Florida, 4266 Sunbeam Road, Jacksonville, FL 32225.
Please share his Life Legacy and leave your memories and condolences at www.oxleyheard.com.
Oxley-Heard Funeral Directors