OBITUARY Peggy C. Vassey October 28, 1928 – September 27, 2018 Peggy Crowe Vassey, 90, a former resident of East Ridge and co-owner of Vassey’s Men’s and Ladies’ Apparel in Rossville, Ga, died Thursday, September 27, 2018, at Life Care, in Red Bank, Tennessee. Peggy was born in Chattanooga, Tennessee, October 28, 1928, to George and Ruby Crowe. She and her sisters, Nell Christnacht, Nina Rous, and Juanita Mckenzie, all grew up locally.
Peggy attended Notre Dame High School and was an avid golfer. She played routinely with her sister, Nell, and niece, Margaret Christnacht, at Valley Brook Country Club. Peggy married Royal Benjamin “Ben” Vassey, January 1, 1947, at First Methodist Church in Calhoun, Georgia.
Ben was a veteran of World War II, having served in the U.S. Army Air Corps as a Technical Sergeant. Ben became a tail gunner on the B-29 Superfortress in the Pacific and served in other various capacities in Europe. Ben received three Bronze Stars, Distinguished Flying Cross, and the Asiatic Pacific Service Medal for his service.
After returning home from the war in September 1945, Ben started work as a shoe salesman. He and Peggy were set up on a blind date, fell in love, and were married in 1947. Ben and Peggy started Vassey’s Men’s and Ladies’ Apparel in Rossville, GA soon thereafter, and were business partners for over 50 years.
Peggy went on to open an exclusive ladies shop called Bridget’s. Her sister, Nell, and niece, Margaret, were also in the clothing business in Rossville having owned Margaret’s Children’s Fashions. Ben and Peggy’s son, George Gunter Vassey, worked in the business until his death in April 1997.
Vassey’s was closed after Ben’s death in April 1999. Vassey’s was highly successful over the decades as made evident by their many loyal customers. Their friends would often come by the store simply to spend time with the Vassey’s.
Their only daughter, Leslie Chandler Murphey, worked in the business off and on until achieving her Master’s in Counseling and Doctorate in Psychology. Peggy was a loving sister, spouse, mother, grandmother, and friend. She was a great cook and loved traveling throughout the years.
In retirement, she enjoyed spending time at her golf course condo at the Bay Point Resort in Panama City Beach, Florida with family and friends. Peggy was preceded in death by her husband of 52 years, Royal Benjamin Vasey; son, George Gunter Vassey; and sisters, Nell Christnacht, Nina Rous, and Juanita Mckenzie. She is survived by her daughter and son-in-law, Leslie and Kevin Murphey of Chattanooga, TN; Grandchildren: Ben Chandler (Kaiti) of Cleveland, TN; Paige Chandler of Ooltewah, TN; Niece: Margaret Christnacht of Signal Mountain, TN; Great Grandchild: Jace Flatt.
In her last years of failing health, loving companions, Margaret Christnacht, Pat Jabely, Kathy Parsons, Shana Burney Newman, Lindsey Dodd, and Olivia Brown kept her safe and comfortable. They were all loving and wonderful to Peggy. The family is eternally grateful for their tender care of Peggy.
The family would also like to thank the nurses and employees on the North Hall at Life Care of Red Bank, with special mention to the following people: Robin, Teasha, Bethany, Leah, Ana Lina Jumami, Samantha, B.J., Mickey, Julie, and Tilley. Funeral services will be at Our Lady of Perpetual Help Church (OLPH) 501 South Moore Road, Chattanooga, TN at 12:30 p.m., Monday, October 1, 2018. The family will receive friends just prior to the funeral service at the church from 11:00 am until 12:15 pm.
Burial will be at Chattanooga National Cemetery. Chattanooga Funeral Home oversees the arrangements. In lieu of fowlers, the family requests any gifts be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital in Memphis, TN.
We invite you to send a message of condolence and view the Vassey family guestbook at www. ChattanoogaEastChapel.com.
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