ROGERS — Friends and former co-workers remembered Martina Peacock on Monday as energetic, organized and passionate about the children she served.
Peacock died Sunday.
She joined the staff at Rogers High School when the school opened on Dixieland Road in 2001. District records show Peacock worked there through early fall 2008.
Bill Stringer was principal of Rogers High School during Peacock’s time there. She and her husband, Ronnie, then football coach, were a team, Stringer said. Both did their best to involve the entire community in the football program. He said he remembers Martina Peacock pulling students out of the stands to run lettered flags along the field.
“She cared about every kid she had contact with, but I think she had a particular soft spot for the ‘underdog’ kid,” said Matt Saferite, principal of Fayetteville’s Ramay Junior High School. Saferite worked with Peacock at Rogers High School.
At A Glance
Father-Son Legacy Events
The family has requested, in lieu of flowers, donations be made to Father-Son Legacy Events founded by Ronnie Peacock. For more information, visit www.father-sonlegacy.com. Donations can be made through www.ichoosehope.org or IchooseHOPE, 4126 N. Valerie, Fayetteville, AR 72703
Source: Staff Report
Peacock wanted excellence from her students and her spirit squads, Saferite said. She loved her friends, her family and her husband, he said.
Peacock was a “tremendous” English teacher, said Robert Moore, principal at Rogers High School, and was still involved with the school as part of Fellowship of Christian Athletes. This winter she convinced Moore to perform at the FCA Entertainment Showcase. Both Moore and Stringer said saying “no” to Martina Peacock was difficult. Stringer said Peacock convinced him to dress up as a Mountie, the school mascot, to entertain students.
She often organized school events, Stringer said.
“She was extraordinary in terms of her ability to put on a show,” he said.
Peacock was organized, said Becky Patterson FCA Northwest Arkansas area representative.
“She had notes for notes,” Patterson said.
Peacock was the FCA Entertainment Showcase, Patterson said. The annual event celebrates the life of Patterson’s daughter, Micayla, who died in a car accident in September 2010. Money raised through the event sends kids to camp, Patterson said.
“She was a dreamer and the things that she did she did bigger than life,” Patterson said.
Peacock was also a friend. When Patterson was diagnosed with breast cancer she found hope with Peacock, who had already fought the disease. When Patterson’s daughter died, Peacock stepped in to help.
“‘We got this — you, me and God,’” Patterson said Peacock told her.'