Peggy May Hailey

Peggy May Clearman Hailey, 92, of DeKalb, passed away peacefully on the evening of Wednesday, March 18, 2026, at the Mississippi Care Center of DeKalb.

Peggy was born to Henry Grady and Aramae (Smith) Clearman on June 1, 1933, at their home in Kemper County. Peggy was a delightful, loving soul whose world revolved around her family and her deep roots in Kemper County. A devoted lifelong member of Spring Hill Church, she found her joy outdoors―gardening, fishing, or relaxing in her porch swing, often admiring her cherished Confederate Rose bush. Known for her infectious warmth, Peggy loved interacting with her community during her many years at Piggly Wiggly as a cashier.

Peggy fondly and jokingly shared with her family over the years that when she first married, she did not know how to cook and if her husband, Tillman, brought in anything she didn’t know how to prepare, she would toss it out the back door. She did learn to cook and became quite excellent at it, with her family often requesting her to prepare her famous fried chicken. Though she is gone from this life, Peggy’s memory will live on in her family’s hearts―a testament of the joy of loving and being loved by her.

Those left to cherish her memory are her daughter-in-love, Mary Ann Hailey; her granddaughter, Leah Hailey Polk; three precious great grandsons, Cooper, Augie, and Shep Polk; a host of beloved nieces and nephews; and her special friend, Rachel Woodfin.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Henry and Aramae Clearman; her beloved husband, Tillman C. Hailey; her cherished son, Cooper Dale Hailey; her brother, Kenneth Leon Clearman; and her nine sisters, Kathleen Gurley, Polly Townsend, Nancy Haskins, Gladys Inez Haskins, Mildred Townsend, Maxine Haskins, Edna Lapearl Hickson, Bobbie Jean Skipper, and Gloria Clearman.

In accordance with Peggy’s wishes, a graveside service will be held on Saturday, March 21st, beginning at 1:00 pm at Spring Hill Church Cemetery with her nephew, Bro. Chris Gully, officiating the service.

Serving as pallbearers for Peggy’s service will be Ronnie Lofton, Jerry Haskins, Phillip Haskins, Randal Miller, and Ryan Miller.

The family wishes to express their heartfelt thanks to the staff at the Mississippi Care Center of DeKalb for their loving care and dedication to Peggy during her stay there, and a grateful thanks to Ronnie Lofton for his friendship, help, and dedication over the years.

The staff of Webb & Stephens Funeral Homes-DeKalb is grateful for the opportunity to honor Peggy’s life and memory and to serve her loving family during this time.