Alma Lee Pelegrin Hartley, 80 of Lyman SC, passed away peacefully on January 11, 2026 in Greenville, South Carolina

Alma Lee was born November 19, 1945, in Atlanta, Georgia to the late Ernie and Sara Pelegrin. Alma Lee was the beloved wife of the late Rev. James T. Hartley Jr. She is survived by her daughter Kristin Eckard (Jason); grandchildren, Melody and Faith; and sister, Elizabeth Decuers (Herb).

Alma Lee graduated from Inglewood High School in Jacksonville, Florida and Jacksonville University.

Alma Lee was a retired English teacher who taught in schools across North Carolina and Florida for more than 40 years. She retired from Wake County schools but previously spent many years teaching in Transylvania County, Craven County, Mecklenburg County and Duval County, Florida.

In partnership with her husband, Alma Lee served in congregations across North and South Carolina by teaching Sunday School, singing in the church choir and through Youth and Young Adult Ministry.

At home, she was a voracious reader, enjoyed watching movies of all types and cheering on the Florida Gators and NC State Wolfpack. She had a love of travel and in recent years greatly enjoyed traveling across the country to cheer on her grandchildren in the James F. Byrnes Rebel Regiment Marching Band.

The family invites donations in Alma Lee's name in lieu of flowers to Pelham Road Baptist Church Missions and Joy Lutheran Church of Moore SC Missions. Friends and family can pay their respects at the memorial service, officiated by Rev. John Roy, on Monday, January 19 at 1:00 p.m. at Pelham Road Baptist Church, 1108 Pelham Rd, Greenville, South Carolina, 29615. The family will receive friends at 12:30 p.m.