Peggy Rogers King

Peggy Rogers King of Advance, N.C., age 91, passed away on December 14, 2023 at Kate B. Reynolds Hospice Home in Winston-Salem, N.C. 

 

She was born in Marion, (Smyth County) Virginia on March 2, 1932 to mother Grace Ross Rogers and father Junius Signal Rogers.  

 

She was pre-deceased by her husband William Bryan (Bill) King, Sr. and is survived by sister Jean R. Perkins and sons William Bryan King, Jr. (Scott) of Columbus, Ohio and Kevin Patrick King (Sandy) of Advance. Peggy’s extended family includes two grand-daughters, six great-grandchildren and five great-great-grandchildren. 

 

Peggy’s pursuit of a writing career began when she won a TIME magazine writing contest as a college senior.  After stints at advertising agencies in Roanoke, Virginia and High Point, North Carolina, she joined the Long, Haymes & Carr agency in Winston-Salem, N.C. There she began as a junior writer and eventually became a company vice-president. Along the way she managed accounts for the region’s top companies, chiefly R.J. Reynolds Tobacco Company, Wachovia Bank and Trust Company, Hanes Hosiery/HanesBrands, Winston Cup Racing and many others. 

 

Many considered Peggy a pioneer in an industry then dominated by the opposite sex. She won numerous advertising awards, including the Addy in 1979 and the Telly in 1984. One highlight of her creative and persuasive talent came in 1974 when she convinced football star Joe Namath to don pantyhose in a very successful L’eggs hosiery ad campaign. The campaign won awards, gained national attention and merited her a mention in Namath’s official autobiography!  

 

After retirement Peggy continued to lend her talents to projects across the state.  Her promotional campaign for the refurbishment and restoration project for the battleship USS North Carolina in Wilmington sparked one of the most successful fundraisers in state history. 

 

Peggy and husband Bill loved and were truly devoted to Augsburg Lutheran Church in Winston-Salem. She was a senior choir member and served on various church committees over the years. In 1992 she completed the writing and editing of a book which chronicled the church’s first 100 years. Peggy and Bill traveled extensively around the world but were happiest at their home in Davie County on the banks of the mighty Yadkin River. There she enjoyed cooking, decorating and gardening.

 

A Memorial Service will be held at the Augsburg Lutheran Church Columbarium at 2:00 pm Friday, December 22, 2023.

 

The family thanks the staff and volunteers of the Kate B. Reynolds hospice home. A special thanks to caregiver Mikei Pinnix.

 

Memorials may be sent to Augsburg Lutheran Church in Winston-Salem, 845 W Fifth Street, Winston-Salem, NC 27101.