Our Story
Learn our story, from the beginning and into the future.
An independent, locally owned funeral home, W. E. Pegues Funeral Directors has operated under the care and guidance of the Pegues family for five generations.
In March of 1891, Walter E. Pegues, after completing a two year term as Lee County's first Superintendent of Education, laid aside textbooks to help form a new Tupelo enterprise originally known as Baskin and Pegues Furniture and Undertaking Goods. His parter, Tupelo Mayor W. C. Baskin, was affiliated with the business only a short while.
The firm's first location was on Main Street between Spring Street and Front Street, a site later occupied by the Tupelo Theater. In 1900 the business relocated to 203 Main Street, where it continued operation for 52 years. In 1952, McClure Furniture Company in Tupelo purchased the furniture portion of the business and the funeral service was moved to the Pegues family home; its current Tupelo location at 535 Jefferson Street. A son of the founder was quoted in the Tupelo Journal saying " We want to concentrate our entire efforts on our funeral profession. We feel that we can better serve our friends by all of our personnel at our funeral home."
After the death of Walter Pegues in 1910, W. H. Berry took over the management of the firm under the supervision of Walter's Widow, Mary Reed Pegues. Walter's son, William E. Pegues, Sr. took over full management of the business in 1934 and along with his brother John Reed Pegues, continued until William died in 1949 and John Reed retired in 1956.
Shortly after Willie's death, the third generation of Pegues family funeral directors was brought into the firm. Upon completion of their funeral service education, brothers, William E. "Bill" Pegues and Leonard M. "Len" Pegues returned home to take care of the business.
During their leadership, the area's first funeral chapel was built and the entire facilities were renovated to meet the funeral service needs of the Tupelo area.
Into the twenty-first century, the Pegues family tradition of funeral service continued with the fourth generation of Pegues. Brothers Ed and Greg Pegues co-owned the century old business until Ed's retirement in 2010. In 2013, Greg's eldest daughter, Whitney Pegues-Beck, joined the operation begun by her great, great grandfather.
Five generations and over a century of service later, W. E. Pegues Funeral Directors remain committed to providing the most caring and professional service. After all, we're
"People you can rely on... Today and Tomorrow"
Why Us?
In a nutshell? Experience, professionalism, compassion, and empathy.
We've learned a lot over many years. Like how to present options without overwhelming. And how to meet the needs of many caring parties. People come to us in difficult times, and we respond kindness, calmness and expertise. Our goal is to create a beautiful occasion and make you feel welcome, always. We spend our days planning with families. We stay up to date with industry developments. And we make hard times a little easier.
Learn the legacy.
W.E. Pegues Funeral Directors was established years ago, and serving families has always been our focus. We take pride in being able to guide people through some of their most difficult days. We take pride in maintaining a setting that allows people to find solace. Celebrating life is our mission. That’s never changed. And with pride, it never will.
Who We Are
Meet our staff. Members of the local community make everything that happens possible.
Together, we make this place amazing.
Email: [email protected]
Phone: (662)842-4872
Whitney Pegues-Beck
Whitney Camille Pegues-Beck, daughter of Greg and Sandy Pegues, joined the staff of W. E. Pegues Funeral Directors August 1, 2013. She is the fifth generation of the Pegues family to join Tupelo's oldest family owned and operated business.
Whitney is a 2005 graduate of Tupelo High School with honors. She earned her Bachelor of Business Administration degree in 2009 from The University of Mississippi. At Ole Miss, she was an active member of Alpha Omicron Pi sorority where she served as new member educator and Vice President of Administration. While attending college, she also gained valuable experience working in the family business. After graduation from Ole Miss, Whitney joined the management team of Electronic Environments, Inc. in New York, New York, where she met her husband, Jason Beck. Jason and Whitney married in Tupelo on May 24, 2014 and welcomed their first son, Harrison Hayes Beck on May 22, 2020.
Whitney is currently serving as the immediate Past-President of the Gumtree Museum of Art Guild of Volunteers and serves on the Gumtree Museum of Art Board of Directors, she is also a member of Tupelo's Rotary Club and in the 2020 class of the Leadership Academy of Selected Independent Funeral Homes. She is a member of the Tupelo Women's Club and a graduate of the 2017 class of the Community Development Foundation's Community Leadership Institute.
As an Ole Miss graduate, in 2019 she became a Lifetime member of the Ole Miss Alumni Association. On June 14, 2017, Whitney was installed as Mississippi Funeral Directors' Northern District Governor and serves on the Mississippi Funeral Dicectors Association’s Board. Whitney has been and continues to be involved in the Next Gen Selected Independent Funeral Homes including serving as a co-chair of the event in 2017. She is a Licensed Funeral Director and Insurance agent.
Email: [email protected]
Raised in Tupelo, Greg represents the fourth generation of the Pegues family to enter funeral service. He is a graduate of Tupelo High School, the University of Mississippi, and completed his mortuary science education at Northwest Community College. He also is a 1985 graduate of the National Foundation of Funeral Service Management. While in school, he continued to work with W. E. Pegues as well as Memphis Funeral Home.
He and his wife, Sandy have three children, Whitney Pegues-Beck, William Edward, IV, and Wriley Abigail and one grandson, Harrison Hayes Beck. He is a “30 year member” of the Tupelo Kiwanis Club, serves on the BancorpSouth community board, served as president and treasure of the Oren Dunn Museum advisory board, and continues to serve on the Friends of the Oren Dunn Museum board. Greg is also active with Sons of the American Revolution and is Past President of the William Gray Chapter in Tupelo. Greg had served two terms as President of the Mississippi Funeral Directors Association . From 2001 until 2005, he served on the board of directors for Selected Independent Funeral Homes. Greg was also named Funeral Director of the Year two times by the Mississippi Funeral Directors Association.
Greg and his family are members of Calvary Baptist Church. He has been affiliated with W. E. Pegues Funeral Directors since 1979. He enjoys woodworking, working on "his farm", collecting old Matchbox cars, and especially hicking, backpacking and camping. He is the son of Norma Crockett Pegues and the late William E. "Bill" Pegues.
Email: [email protected]
Returning to the Pegues staff is licensed funeral director, Marla Ledbetter. She has served 15 years in the industry. Marla is married to Terry Ledbetter and they have three Children, Amy, Andrew and Aaron as well as six grandchildren. A graduate of Briarcrest High School in Memphis and Blue Mountain College, she taught kindergarten and middle school before she and her family moved to Tupelo. Marla has a heart for the funeral industry and is thankful for the opportunity to use her gifts to serve our families. When she’s not working, she can most likely be found attending a NorthStar Church service or activity, or spoiling her grandkids completely rotten.
Email: [email protected]
The son of Betty Bramlett and the late Jerry T. Bramlett, Steve was born and raised in the Nettleton area. He was a 1981 graduate of Nettleton High School and attended Itawamba Community College. He received his insurance license in 1982 and has since been an indispensible member of the advance planning and insurance staff at Pegues. Steve is married to the former Tracie Nichols of Tupelo. He has three children, Jon Bramlett and his wife Roni, Molly Bramlett and Ella Bramlett and recently earned the title of “Pop” with the addition of grandson, Wells Bramlett, in 2019. Steve enjoys spending time with his growing family and is an avid sports enthusiast. He and his family are faithful members of Gloster Street Church of Christ.
Email: [email protected]
A Tupelo native, Robert is the son of the late Orville and Rebecca Wilson. He is a 1971 graduate of Tupelo High School and in 1975, received his BS in Business Administration from Mississippi State University. A versatile member of the Pegues staff, Robert assists with many aspects of funeral service and care but has truly committed his focus and become extremely proficient at working with families filling life insurance claims.
He is married to the former Pat Simmons of Endville and they have been longtime residents of the Brewer Community. Robert and Pat have two daughters, Tiffany Vaughan of Shannon and Amanda Wilson of Fort Wayne, Indiana and three grandchildren, Brooke, Eli and Owen. He enjoys wood working, attending auctions and estate sales, hunting for unique antiques and fishing. He is currently serving as Master of Masonic Lodge 318 in Tupelo and is a member of Brewer Baptist Church.
Email: [email protected]
An Okolona native, Mike is the son of the late Jo Allen and Frances Easley. He graduated from Okolona High School in 1971, attended Itawamba Community College and received his degree in Funeral Service from Northwest Community College. In 2000, Mike joined the staff at Pegues as a funeral service professional. He has dedicated himself to providing comfort to the families we serve by way of his extensive knowledge in the arts and science of funeral service. He currently holds a funeral service license in Mississippi and is certified by the National Funeral Service Board.
He is married to the former Becky Armstrong and together they have three children, Amy Hagood of Saltillo, John Easley of Eads, Tennessee and Christy Averett of Jacksonville, Arkansas and three grandchildren, John David Hagood, Hannah Grace Elizabeth Easley and Rebekah Ann Easley. Earlier in life, Mike was an avid bass fisherman; participating in several bass tournaments. He now enjoys browsing antique shops with his wife and searching for antique fishing lures to add to his extensive collection. Mike and Becky are faithful members of Brewer Baptist Church where he has served as a Deacon and Sunday school teacher.
Email: [email protected]
Joey is a native of Pontotoc County and a 1981 graduate of South Pontotoc High School. He served 15 years in the Mississippi National Guard and worked for over 20 years in the retail and the wholesale grocery business before joining the staff at Pegues in 2005. In 2016, Joey received his Mississippi Funeral Directors license and has been a certified crematory operator since 2008. His meticulous organization, captivating energy, and thorough knowledge of cremation have made him a pillar of daily operations at our Saltillo location. Joey is married to the former Denise Stubblefield and they have three children, Joseph, Kyle and Brooke. His most enjoyable hobby is collecting GI Joe figurines which he has been doing for 20 years.
A native and life-long resident of the Richmond Community, Harvey is the son of the late Rev. Jack and Beatrice Raper. He joined the staff at Pegues in 1978 and has held many positions over the course of 40 years. After serving 30 years as a senior funeral director, he now leads our building/automotive maintenance and cemetery equipment operations. When he is not setting up tents or running company errands, he can be found making sure the rest of the staff are on their toes. His commitment to this company and the Pegues family is unwavering. He is married to the former Martha Gillespie and they have one daughter, Lisa Reid; two grandchildren, Mindi and Cassidy; and four great-grandchildren, Dawson, Allison, Skyler and Jenny. He and Martha are members of Richmond Pentecostal Church.
Jack Leslie
Insurance Salesman
Neal Ramage
Funeral Assistant
Email: [email protected]
Born and raised in Pontotoc, Stephanie is the daughter of Steve Johnson and Cindy and Gene Barton. She attended Pontotoc City Schools and Itawamba Community College. In 2018, she joined the staff at Pegues and has become a highly valued employee. Her professionalism, politeness and exceptional customer service skills make her easy to converse with and her compassion and empathy offer a sense of comfort to the families we serve. She enjoys spending one-on-one time with her brothers and her sweet pup, Abby, exploring nature trails, and she especially loves attending tea parties hosted by her favorite God children, Dani and Hunter. She is a member of the Orchard Tupelo.
William E. Pegues IV
Certified Crematory Operator
Explore Our Locations
See where we are and find the place that best meet your needs.
W.E. Pegues Funeral Directors - Tupelo
535 W Jefferson St
Tupelo, MS 38804
W.E. Pegues Funeral Directors - Saltillo
280 Mobile St
Saltillo, MS 38866