Lori Dianne Stokes Peel, age 51, of Shelbyville, and her huband Gary Lyn Peels, passed away April 21, 2023, as a result of an automobile accident. Gary's passing was a few days later as he was able to be an organ donor.
Funeral services will be 2 p.m. Sunday, April 30, 2023, at Edgemont Baptist Church. Reverend Scott Reed will officiate, with burial to follow in Hillcrest Memorial Gardens.
The family will receive visitors 3:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. Saturday, April 29, 2023, and again Sunday one hour prior to the service, at the church.
She was born October 26, 1971, in Bedford County, to Caleb Austin and Diana Faye Heflin Stokes. She was employed with the Bedford County School System as a Special Education Assistant at Liberty School. Lori served on the Board of Shining Stars, and held membership at Midland Heights Baptist Church.
In addition to her parents, survivors include her daughter, Hannah Lyn Peels, of Shelbyville; a sister, Julie Kay Stokes Haynes, and her husband Jeff, of Shelbyville; a nephew, Matthew Dillen Haynes and a niece, Sarah Grace Haynes, all of Shelbyville.
After graduating from Middle Tennessee State University in May 1994, Lori worked as a Purchaser for Edgcomb Metals in Murfreesboro. In 2002, Lori became a stay at home mom to her daughter Hannah.
When Hannah started school, Lori began working for the Bedford County School System. During Lori’s time with BCS, she not only helped students with their academic needs, she also made sure students had clothes, food and other personal items. Lori was her daughter Hannah’s biggest advocate but her heart was so big, she was also a huge advocate for the students she worked with every day. If you knew Lori, she always had a smile on her face and words of encouragement to share. Lori was a wonderful wife to her husband, mother to her daughter and fiercely loyal to her family and friends. Always able to see the good through life’s challenges. “You can’t have a rainbow without a little rain.”
Gary Lyn Peels was born August 7, 1969, in Sparta, Tenn., to Lena Dye Peels, of Shelbyville, and the late John Luther Peels. Gary was employed with Jack Daniel Distillery in Lynchburg, and held membership at Midland Heights Baptist Church.
In addition to his mother, survivors include a daughter, Hannah Lyn Peels, of Shelbyville; brothers and sisters, Robert M. Dye, and his wife Stephanie, of Unionville, John Dye, Jr. and his wife Brenda, of Mt. Juliet, Keith Richardson, and his wife Cherie, of Murfreesboro, David Cottrell, and his wife Ashley, of Nashville; Lori Hollis, Debbie Nichols, and her husband William, and Cyndi Paschal, and her husband Hollis, all of Shelbyville; special aunts, Laverta Peels, Carrie Cooley, and Audrey Stevenson of Shelbyville; cousins, Robin Cooley, Rhonda Harold, and her husband Scott, Jackson Finch, Caroline Finch, Roger Watkins, and Ricky Watkins, and Richard Stevenson, of Murfreesboro .
Lori and Gary would honored with memorials to an account established at Peoples Bank of Middle Tennessee, C/O Hannah Peels Benefit, 1122 North Main Street, Shelbyville, TN 37160.
Feldhaus Memorial Chapel is assisting the family with the arrangements.
