Paul Wayne Peace, Sr.

Paul Wayne Peace, Sr. born July 5, 1931, went on to be with the Lord on June 7, 2024, just shy of his 93rd birthday. Paul was a devoted husband, father, pastor, and builder - touching many lives across South Georgia with his immense generosity and kindness.

Paul was an educated man having degrees from Norman College, Mercer University, and a Masters in Divinity from the New Orleans Theological Seminary, but these were simply stepping stones to his real passion: serving others and Jesus Christ.

Paul’s career was diverse and layered - always doing multiple things at once. He served with the Georgia Baptist Convention for 30 years, most of those as the Director of the Georgia Baptist Assembly in Norman Park and the Church Training Department prior to that. During all of that time and after, he also served as an interim and transitional pastor to many churches across South Georgia. This was a great passion, as his calming and humorous approach gifted him the ability to guide congregations in times of turmoil and transition.

Paul was married to Carolyn Alligood and they had a wonderful, loving relationship for 69 years. They have two children: Gail Peace (Kent Blevins) and Paul Jr. (Mandy Coleman) Peace and grandchildren: John Paul Foster, Justin (Emily) Foster, Madison (JT) Schexnayder, and Whitman Peace (Lia Delveccio); and great-grandchild Samuel Foster (Justin and Emily).

Paul was known for his ability to always find a joke to ease a tense moment or someone’s pain. He cared deeply for people and found his best sense of purpose by serving others. He did this not only as a pastor, but also in the community where he lived serving as Mayor of Norman Park for 10 years.

Paul was also a builder and inventor. He had the great skill of understanding a problem and finding efficient solutions. He oversaw construction projects of numerous houses - including his own - as well as a fire department, city hall, administration buildings, and others mostly in the Norman Park community. Quite amazing for someone not formally trained in the discipline and virtually all of them above and beyond the normal call of duty.

Paul was preceded in death by his parents: John T. and Ethel Holden Peace; his siblings: George, Joel (Marilyn), Willard (Janie and Clotile), Virginia (George) Grantham, Hallie (George) Kelsey, Faye (Franklin) Roberts, and Talmadge (Cavis).