Peggy Ann Hollaway Simpson Guinn passed away peacefully at her home on Monday, August 4, 2025. She was born on January 21, 1941, in Henagar, Alabama, the youngest of eleven children, alongside her twin sister, Patty. Peggy’s mother passed away when she was just six months old, and she was lovingly raised by her father and older siblings.
Peggy had a servant’s heart and a can-do attitude. Her father passed away shortly after her and her twin’s high school graduation, so Peggy forewent her college plans to work the night shift as a telephone operator. It was there Peggy met her first husband, Fred Simpson, at a café in Birmingham during one of these shifts. She and Fred married in 1961, moved to Nashville so Fred could attend law school, and settled in Huntsville in 1964. They remained married until his death in 2014. Peggy supported Fred’s legal career by ensuring they always had income to fall back on, and in doing so built a successful 40-year career in real estate. However, her proudest achievement in life was her title as mom. She and Fred had 3 children, Bryan, Cindy, and Derek.
In 2023, Peggy found love again and married Gerald Guinn. They spent the last two years of her life together in happiness and companionship. They traveled around the Southeast, stayed active in church and held hands everywhere they went. Jerry made sure his “sweetie” had her coffee every morning and doted on her constantly.
Peggy’s unfailing compassion shone brightest through her Christian faith, which was the foundation of her life, and she lived it out daily with grace, and humility. She was a devoted member of Whitesburg Baptist Church, singing in the choir, teaching Sunday school, serving on the building committee, the clothes closet and the bus ministry. She visited shut-ins weekly for years. You could regularly find her rounding up furniture or taking a meal for a family in need. She always ensured her loved ones were well fed and could whip up any meal with a moment’s notice. One of her greatest joys was preparing and hosting Sunday lunch for her entire family every week (20 people at times!), a tradition she upheld for decades.
In addition to Fred, Peggy was preceded in death by all ten of her siblings and their spouses.
She is survived by her beloved husband, Gerald Guinn; her children, Bryan Simpson (Ashli Williams), Cindy Howard (Tim), and Derek Simpson (Shannon); seven grandchildren, Betsy Germano (Jamie), Sally Ham (Michael), Charlie Howard (Emily), Sam Howard, Kate Simpson, Jane Simpson, and Will Simpson; five great-grandchildren; and countless nieces, nephews, and cousins that she loved so dearly.
Peggy’s life was a testament to faith, family, and service. She will be dearly missed and lovingly remembered by all who knew her.
Visitation will be Friday, August 8, 2025 at 10:00 am in the chapel at Whitesburg Baptist Church South Campus with the funeral immediately following at noon. Burial will be at 2:00 pm at Maple Hill Cemetery.
Memorial donations may be made to the Food Bank of North Alabama, 225 Finney Rd SW, Huntsville, AL 35824 (https://www.foodbanknorthal.org).
