Melba Jean Peal

Melba Jean Peal, beloved wife, mother, Nana and Great Banana Peal left her earthly tent and went to be with her Lord and savior on Mother’s Day Sunday, May 11, 2025.

Jean, as know by her friends, was born in Reidsville, Georgia on April 29, 1941 to Coot Leon Westberry and Effie Davis Westberry. Jean grew up on the family farm. She worked as an LPN in a local hospital and then made her way to Atlanta where she raised her family. She later met the love of her life, Frank Peal and they shared 46 years together. Jean’s life has been enriched by her volunteer work in many avenues including her church throughout the years, and particularly of late with The Order of the Eastern Star and The Order of the Amaranth.

She was known for her love of dancing, the beach, and teddy bears. However, she loved nothing more than her husband, sons, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. She was a tiny package of dynamite full of spice and loved adventure, like skydiving for her 80th birthday. Beloved by all who knew her, the red-headed energizer bunny will be greatly missed on this planet, but we look forward to dancing with her again on the other side.

Jean is preceded in death by her parents, her twin sister Thelma Maddox, brothers Leon, Coley and Paul Westberry, and sister Alma Walker.

She is survived by her husband Frank Peal Jr., sons Gus McDeermond and Tommy McDeermond (Sandy), and Frankie Peal. Jean known as Nana to her grandchildren Andrew McDeermond (Angelica), James McDeermond (Kelsie), Lauren DeGrendel (Zack), Henry Peal (Faythe), Haley Peal, Timothy Peal, and Sarah Peal along with 7 great grandchildren. She also leaves behind siblings Shirley Rowan, Libby Waters, and Kirby Westberry.