Peggy McDuffie, 58, was reportedly on her way to close a deal in her job as a ReMax real estate agent. She pulled off Eastview Parkway onto Ga. Highway 138 and was struck on the driver's side by a pickup truck pulling a load of horses, according to the Georgia State Patrol Conyers post.

The Rockdale native grew up in the Milstead area and worked for 25 years as a real estate agent. Co-workers and friends remembered her as sweet soul with an upbeat personality.

"She lit up the room when she came in," said Denise Stanley, managing broker for ReMax Agents Realty, who had worked with McDuffie for about 14 years. "Everybody loved her. She was that kind of person."

Another co-worker, Jack Miller, agreed. "Peggy represented, in our industry, being a real estate agent was not just a job but an attitude," he said. She put that attitude not only in her work but in her life with her family and friends. I never heard her speak ill of anyone, she always had a smile. One of the sweetest souls ever I met."

McDuffie's sister and husband are also real estate agents. "It was really heartbreaking for us because of all the family ties as well," said Stanley.

McDuffie was also passionately involved in the community as a board member of Rockdale CASA, an advocacy program for children in juvenile court, a cause she took up after the death of her young son several years ago.

Lynn Killman, executive director of Rockdale CASA and a family friend, remembered her as kind and loving friend, but also "the kind of friend who wouldn't let you get away with anything."

"We're all heartbroken," Killman said. "She had a big kind heart towards children. She was just terrific at what she did." Killman said McDuffie was dedicated to making sure children had a better life than she did growing up.
"She was one of those people that could always make you feel like everything you did was important and smart."

Reminders of McDuffie were fresh and everywhere, said Killman, such as a calendar filled with McDuffie's name signed up for things. "She's really going to be missed," said Killman.

McDuffie is survived by her husband of 35 years, Norman McDuffie of Conyers; children, Carolyn (Mike) Cox of Buford, Toni (Wayne) Taggart of Grayson, Norman McDuffie of Va., Trina (Paul) Stevenson of Oxford, Alisha (Byron) Storey of Covington; sister, Sharon (Jerry) Babb of McDonough; brother, Anthony (Peggy) Beck of Loganville, Ricky( Brenda) Beck of Conyers, Mike (Dana) Beck of Loganville; 10 grandchildren, one great-grandchild and many nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her son, Alan Hall, and parents Willard and Pony Beck.

The family received friends on June 1 at the Horis A. Ward Funeral Home, Rockdale Chapel.