Peggy Jean

O’Kelley Black

Mrs. Peggy Jean O’Kelley Black, 83, passed away Saturday, November 7, 2026, at Atrium Health Cabarrus in Concord.

A funeral service will be held at 3:00 on Saturday, November 21, 2026, at First Wesleyan Church in Kannapolis. The family will receive friends an hour before the funeral service. Dr. Robert E. Black and Rev. Scott Wheeler will officiate.

Peggy was born on March 24,1943, in Asheville, NC. She was a daughter of the late Glenn F. O’Kelley and Lucy Williams O’Kelley. Peggy graduated from Lee Edward’s High School in Asheville. She worked as an office manager at her husband’s Optometric office. After his retirement, she worked in insurance at Cabarrus Eye Center.

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Dr. Watson H. Black; her infant son, Michael Worth Black; and her brother, Glenn F. O’Kelley Jr.

Peggy is survived by her two daughters; Kimberly Owensby and husband Mark, and Pamela Strader and husband Ricky, all of Kannapolis. Her pride and joy were her grandchildren; Breanne Owensby Ford and husband Jake of Anderson, South Carolina, Rachel Strader and Ethan Strader of Kannapolis. She is also survived by her sisters; Patsy Blankenship and Barbara McFall of Asheville.

Peggy loved sitting on her porch watching nature and enjoying time with her favorite grandpuppy, Hudson. Spending time with her family was one of her greatest joys. She loved deeply and was very generous to those around her. Her faith in God was of the utmost importance to her. Even during her declining health, she shared her love of the Lord with caregivers and hospital staff. We hope to carry on her legacy of faith and generosity.

In lieu of flowers,memorials may be sent to Kannapolis First Wesleyan Church, 301 Bethpage Road Kannapolis, NC 28081; or Southern Wesleyan University, P.O. Box 1020 Central, SC 29630.

The family would like to give special thanks to all the Doctors and Nursing staff from the Emergency Department, Post-Surgical Unit 2, Respiratory Therapy, and ICU-Floor 3 that took great care of her at Atrium Cabarrus during her final days.