NATCHEZ — Jeannie Peabody is being remembered in Natchez as one of a kind, a bubbly personality who never met a stranger, someone with endless vibrant energy and an appreciation for the outdoors, people and life itself.

Peabody, 92, died Monday at her home in Natchez after an illness. She is survived by her husband of 73 years, Andy Peabody.

“She is absolutely one of my favorite people in the world,” said Brent Bourland, Natchez attorney and businessman. “Her contributions to Natchez are many.”

Bourland said Peabody put Natchez on the map in the world of tennis.

“She was an excellent tennis player and she dedicated much of her time to introducing the young people of Natchez to tennis. She took them to tournaments and probably paid for everything they needed,” he said. “She dedicated a large portion of her life to tennis.”

Peabody, Bourland and others organized the American Cancer Society tennis tournament in Natchez more than 25 years ago.

“It became known as the Cancer Tournament. All proceeds went to the American Cancer Society. It became a major fundraiser,” he said.

Peabody became deeply involved in wheelchair tennis after her goddaughter, Laura Pritchartt Bolinger, became a quadriplegic after a car accident. She joined the U.S. Tennis Association’s wheelchair tennis program and became a certified wheelchair tennis instructor. Peabody organized wheelchair tennis tournaments, including the Cajun Classic in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, which continues today, and similar tournaments in Natchez, Jackson, Shreveport, Louisiana, and Atlanta. She retired at age 82 from her seat on the USTA Wheelchair Tennis Association board.

Peabody’s love for outdoor activities knew no bounds, Bourland said. The two enjoyed sailing together for a number of years.

“She and I sailed all over the Caribbean to Antigua and St. Thomas. She had a beautiful sailboat, the Blue Max, and it was the prettiest boat in any harbor we sailed into. People came and stared at that boat.” he said. “We had so many great times.”

Kathy Killelea Sizemore said her family, along with the Peabodys, the Durkins and the Feltuses were long-time, close friends.

“Jeanie and Camille Durkin were like second mothers to me,” said Sizemore, who is the daughter of the late Dr. and Mrs. Donald (Katherine) Killelea.

“Our families have been friends, I can tell you, since 1963. My dad was going around the state doing the smallpox vaccinations and we met Jeanie and she started going with him,” Sizemore said.

“Jeanie was always so bubbly. I’ve always said she reminded me of Doris Day, who was one of my favorite actresses, and the characters she played. I have loved Doris Day probably because of Jeanie. I never heard her say an unkind word. She loves people and everyone she meets becomes a friend. You just love her. There are very few people you meet in life that you feel instantly like you’ve known them your whole life. Jeanie was one of those people.”

Sizemore’s mother and Camille Durkin developed dementia later in life. Nevertheless, Peabody would come and pick the two up and take them on picnics and to the cemetery and on short trips, like to Jackson.

“She would do things like that despite the fact that they had dementia. Once she is your friend, she is your friend for life,” she said.

Sizemore and Peabody became closer after Katherine Killelea’s death.

“After mom died, I would go to see her and we would go for a walk in the woods. She loved anything to do with the outdoors. She took us all to Canada to go camping once,” Sizemore said. “She would even go out and do things like go camping by herself. She truly enjoyed life. Jeanie was just a loving person.

“She was a priceless gem, and Natchez just lost that gem,” she said.