WILMINGTON — Julia “Bates” Peacock Toone, 88, of Wilmington, passed away on March 29th, surrounded by her family. She was born in Tarboro, NC, to the late John Gaston Peacock and Julia Brown Peacock. Bates was preceded in death by her husband, Edwin Love Toone III, and her brother, John Gaston Peacock, Jr.
Bates graduated from Rhodes College in Memphis. She was a lifelong Episcopalian with aspirations of becoming a priest. At that time, women were not permitted to become Episcopal priests, so she attended Wesley Theological Seminary and earned a Master’s in Religious Education. Shortly after graduation, she became the young adults leader at All Saints Church in Chevy Chase, MD, where she met the love of her life, Edwin L. Toone III. Together, they worked for the Episcopal Church Dioceses in North Carolina, Florida, Tennessee, and Kentucky. Much of Bates’ career centered on teaching and working with children and youth. She organized and led mission trips to Honduras, South Dakota, and Mexico and formed deep friendships as a mentor for multiple Education for Ministry Groups sponsored by the School of Theology in Sewanee, TN. Bates had a profound impact on many lives, and her spirit will continue to live on through those she touched.
A passionate advocate for justice, she and her husband were civil rights activists in the 1960s, participating in the 1963 March on Washington alongside Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. She remained committed to creating change throughout her life. In 1984, she helped to sponsor a Vietnamese refugee family of 9, setting them up with housing and work in Wilmington.
Bates was also a creative soul, writing stories and poetry, and she was an award-winning painter. Her legacy will continue to be cherished in the homes of many through her artwork.
Kind, patient, and beautiful inside and out, she was a devoted mother and grandmother. Bates enjoyed traveling with her husband and birdwatching. She is survived by her children, Julia Bates Toone (Brian LeFevre) of Winston-Salem and Edwin Love Toone IV (Amanda de Luis) of Olot, Spain, as well as her grandchildren: Noah LeFevre of Santa Monica, CA, Ben LeFevre of NYC, and Amélie de Luis Toone of Spain, along with several nieces, nephews, and many devoted first cousins.
A funeral service will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, April 11th, at Church of the Servant Episcopal Church in Wilmington.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Good Shepherd Center.
