Laurel "Lollie" Peeples Hisey
Our community lost a ray of light when Laurel "Lollie" Peeples Hisey died peacefully on Monday morning, January 10, 2022.
Lollie was born in Seattle, Wa., on March 2, 1929. At eight years old, her family moved to Chattanooga, and she graduated from Chattanooga High School in 1947. Later, Lollie graduated Cum Laude in Special Education from UTC in 1978. She worked at Moccasin Bend Health Institute for many years, where she was appointed to the post of director of Volunteer Services. She was a member of the First Cumberland Presbyterian Church.
Lollie’s purpose in life was to bring joy and laughter to her friends and family. At an early age she chose to see her cup as half full and to live a happy life. The Hisey house on Bass Road was a magnet for friends, family, strangers, and various travelers on life’s highways. Each found a house that was open, welcoming, non-judgmental, love-filled, and laughter infused. The house was always full of her children’s teen aged friends, many of whom adopted the Hiseys as their surrogate family. Love and warmth shone from every window.
Lollie’s joy bringing eventually extended to the public at large. A talented comedic actress, she was a member of the Drama Club in high school and the University Players at UTC. At First Cumberland, she formed the Cumberland Players, writing plays and musicals that entertained so many. It was in her self-created role as Adelade Addles, however, where her comedic genius shone. As a scatter-brained, huge lopsided bosomed character, she performed at fund raisers and retirement parties to uproarious laughter and applause. Lollie was a natural entertainer who simply loved to make people laugh.
A born clown, she soon became a professional one. After retirement, she attended Clown’s College in Florida. As Zig Zag, she entertained at schools, hospitals, senior centers and public events throughout Florida and Chattanooga.
Returning to Chattanooga at age 63, she began line-dancing classes at the YMCA. It was not long before a group of fellow female seniors formed a line-dancing troupe, performing all over Chattanooga.
Her beloved husband of 49 years, Bo, died in 2002. Three years later; she met Barney Hendrix. As fun-loving companions, they crisscrossed the country in his RV- visiting Alaska, Washington, Oregon, Nevada, and New Mexico. They attended hot air balloon events, heard concerts, took hikes, and found awe in the beauty of America. Their winters were spent together in Florida- walking on the beach, going to museums, and visiting old friends and family. Barney’s love, companionship, generosity, kindness, and humor were prized by Lollie and appreciated, beyond words, by her family.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Franz L. (Bo) Hisey, her daughter, Haven Hisey Brown, her niece, Barbara Raulston Moon, her parents, Laura Frances Woodbridge Peeples and Henry Cook Peeples, her brother, Donald Morgan Peeples, her sisters, Mary Belle Peeples Raulston and Cicely Peeples Ader, and her companion, Barney Hendrix.
Lollie is survived by her son, Hal Hisey and her daughter-in-law, Hiroko Ishimura Hisey, and her three grandchildren, Jordan Brown, Collin Brown, and Rivers Ishimura Hisey.
A virtual memorial service, for a later date, will be announced.
Donations can be made in her name to The Chambliss Children’s Home.