11/20/2025
Peggy Ann Ryland
Peggy Anne Parrish Ryland passed away November 17, 2025, at the age of 86.
Peggy was born in Louisville, KY on July 11, 1939, to William “Bill” and Mary Anderson Parrish (later Mary Myers).
Peggy moved to Gulfport, MS when she was 7 years old with her mother and stepfather, JE Jim Myers. She graduated from Gulfport High School in 1957 and attended the University of Southern Mississippi for 1 year. On November 24, 1958, she married her high school sweetheart and the love of her life, Capt. Charles W “Skip” Ryland, USN, SC Ret. and she loved being a Navy wife.
Together, they moved all over the United States as well as overseas in Japan. The places they lived included Newport, RI, Athens, GA, Iwakuni, Japan, Cherry Point, NC, Yokosuka, Japan, Virginia Beach, VA, Fairfax, VA, Bremerton, WA, Coronado, CA, and Alexandria, VA. While living in northern Virginia, Peggy worked for the US Government, the Army, and the Navy for 12 years. She took early retirement as a GS13. In 1984, Peggy and Skip returned to the Mississippi Gulf Coast where they spent the rest of their lives. In 1986, they started a new adventure by opening Classy Coverups Fabric Store and owned the business until 2007. Starting with 1 location and 160 bolts of fabric, they built a successful business, ending with 3 stores in Gulfport, Hattiesburg, and Pensacola.
Being in the retail business was right up her alley as Peggy never met a stranger. In fact, her children often accused her of riding by the bus stop and inviting people to dinner. Peggy was the personality and Skip was the “Banker.” She loved helping her customers with colors, fabric, and decorating. Throughout their lives together they continued to travel. While owning Classy Coverups they travelled all over the US looking for different sources of fabrics. Once Peggy and Skip retired from the retail business they continued to travel the world, visiting 30 countries and sometimes being accompanied by their children and grandchildren.
Peggy felt her greatest achievement was raising her beloved children and helping raise her grandchildren. Raising 4 children while Skip was out to sea or travelling on inspection trips was a challenge, but she was determined to create a warm and loving home, no matter where they lived. Peggy was the life and laughter of every party, and she ensured everyone had a seat at the table and plenty of food to eat.
Peggy was preceded in death by her husband of 62-years, Charles W “Skip” Ryland; mother, Mary Myers; stepfather, Jim Myers; father, Bill Parrish; stepmother, Margaret Parrish; brother, James “Jimmy” Parrish; brother-in-law, Larry Parker; son-in-law, Alex North; and Rosemary Dedeaux.
Peggy is survived by her 4 children, Leslie R North, Mark W Ryland, Charles “Greg” Ryland (Rhoda), and Jennifer R. Achee (Curt); 10 grandchildren, Russell, Tyler, Jacob, Dillon, Patrick, Mitch, Sarah, Josey, Macy and Hallie; great-grandchildren, Ryland, Rose, Reeves, Rowan, Jack, Ridge, Gabe, Briella, and Gracie. She is also survived by her brothers, Billy (Heidi), Patrick (Charlene), John (Shelly), Ronnie (Jayne), and Butch and her sisters, Susie (Ron) and Ruth.
The family would like to extend their sincere thanks to the overwhelming love and exceptional care given over the years by Lawrence White, Carlos Kotsakos, and all the wonderful caregivers that have helped throughout the years.
Visitation will be from 1:00 p.m. until 3:00 p.m. on Sunday, November 23, 2025, at Bradford-O’Keefe Funeral Home, 1726 15th Street, Gulfport. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Monday, November 24, 2025, at St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church in Gulfport, where friends may visit one-hour before Mass. Interment will follow at Biloxi National Cemetery. Bradford-O’Keefe Funeral Home, 15th Street, Gulfport is honored to serve the Ryland family.
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