Margaret Stegall Obituary

MARGARET GRACE COVINGTON STEGALL

October 16, 1931 – March 30, 2021

Margaret Grace Covington Stegall, age 89, passed away peacefully on Tuesday, March 30, 2021 at Jesse Helms Nursing Center of Atrium Health – Union, Monroe, North Carolina, with her family in her presence.

            Margaret Grace Covington was born on October 16, 1931 in Monroe, North Carolina, to Martin Luther Covington and Bessie Ida Carelock Covington. Margaret was honored and proud throughout her life to be named for her paternal grandmother, Grace Pate Covington, from an old family of Gibson, NC in Scotland County, who had passed away in 1922 at the young age of 40.

            Margaret was raised in Monroe, NC in the 1930’s and 1940’s. She was encouraged from an early age by her parents in music and art, and was outstanding in various areas of those endeavors throughout her life. She learned to play the piano as a young girl and played it masterfully and beautifully all her life, bringing much joy to her family, friends, church, and community. As a teenager, she was invited to join the adult church choir, and contributed her beautiful alto voice to Central Methodist Church, Monroe, NC, where she had been raised from infancy. She later contributed her musical talents to First Baptist Church – Marshville for twenty five years, serving in both the adult choir and as assistant pianist and organist.

            Margaret was also an outstanding art student throughout school and contributed her art talents in many ways. Margaret graduated from Walter Bickett High School, Monroe, NC as salutatorian of her class. She also received the National Honor Society Service Award. Margaret graduated with a certificate in accounting from Woman’s College of UNC in Greensboro, NC, Class of 1951. The training was valuable to her all her life.

            Margaret was married to Jimmy Kenneth Stegall of Marshville, NC on September 22, 1951 at Central Methodist Church in Monroe. They made their first home in Marshville, and she joined the First Baptist Church – Marshville and was a faithful member for 69 years. Margaret raised her children and helped Jimmy build his businesses along the way.

Margaret later furthered her art training by studying portrait painting from noted portrait artist Dayrell Kortheur at the Mint Museum, Charlotte, NC and oil painting from Dr. Ives at Wingate College. Margaret additionally studied architectural design and drafting at Central Piedmont Community College. She was also a graduate of the Libby Stone School of Modeling at King’s College, Charlotte, NC.

            Margaret contributed her organizational skills in the workplace as assistant personnel director of Holly Farms Industries, Monroe, NC. She also founded and operated her own custom design business, designing and drawing complete residence plans. Margaret also operated her own interior design business, doing direct business with the NC furniture markets. Margaret assisted the Monroe, NC architectural firm of Hodge and Associates with their architectural drafting work. Margaret also shared her talents by teaching oil painting classes for Anson Community College on campus and at the Anson County Library in Wadesboro.

            Margaret was a member of the Union County Art League, and served as a board member of the Union County chapter of the NC Symphony Orchestra. She served as chair of the Marshville Woman’s Club Art Show, and was an exhibiting artist at the Springs Art Show in Lancaster, SC. Margaret was a prize winner in the Union County Religious Art Show.

            Margaret used her design skills to design, furnish, and decorate three homes she and Jimmy built and resided in over the years. During their long marriage, one of these homes was in the Blue Ridge mountains in beautiful Dugspur, VA, where she loved to spend time in later years as she was able, enjoying the views and peaceful surroundings.

            Margaret enjoyed many travels during her lifetime with Jimmy. She was always ready to go on very short notice. They enjoyed traveling to all parts of the United States including Hawaii, and various parts of Canada. They also enjoyed a trip to Switzerland and much enjoyed a memorable two-week trip to Europe in the 1980’s, visiting many of the places Jimmy had been and seen during his US Army service in the early 1950’s.

            Margaret immensely enjoyed her family throughout her life. Many years of Christmas Eve family gatherings were well remembered, always including her beautiful piano playing for the family. Halloween parties for the children in the basement family room were memorable and fun occasions.

            As a lifetime fan and same-age contemporary of actress Elizabeth Taylor, Margaret was thrilled to meet her in person at Belk-Southpark at a White Diamonds Perfume appearance.

            Margaret received much satisfaction in very quietly helping deserving and hard-working young people, even making personal sacrifices to do so when her heart told her that she should. In her own way, she opened doors to opportunity as it had been done for her, and made lasting impacts. She received much satisfaction in getting to personally know the recipients of the scholarship fund she and Jimmy established at Wingate University. The wonderful wait staff of Hilltop Restaurant in Monroe were Margaret’s dear friends, and she encouraged each one, making lasting friendships.

            Margaret enjoyed extending her natural, friendly, and genuine hospitality to family and friends alike. She and Jimmy enjoyed hosting at their home many reunions of Jimmy’s Marshville High School Class of 1948, a great and enjoyable reunion of lifelong friends. Margaret and Jimmy also enjoyed hosting several gatherings of the annual National Night Out in August for the Lakeview neighborhood, bringing local law enforcement and the community together.

            Margaret was a devoted wife to Jimmy, and fully supported him in his business undertakings through the years. She was a wonderful and much-loved mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother, and each family member knew at all times unconditional love and encouragement. She loved and accepted everyone, had a heart of gold, and saw the good in every person and in every situation. She was a wonderful listener and very wise advisor. Her unwavering Christian faith was with her throughout her life, and carried her daily through many physical challenges until she entered her heavenly home. Her determination and strength were an outstanding and inspiring example to her loving family and many steadfast friends.

Margaret was pre-deceased by her parents, and by her son-in-law the late Christopher Dean Andrews of Concord, NC. Margaret is survived by her husband of sixty-nine years, Jimmy Kenneth Stegall of Monroe, NC; one son, Danny Mack Stegall, and wife Carolyn Shanks Stegall of Monroe, NC; one daughter, Deana Stegall Andrews of Concord, NC, widow of Christopher Dean Andrews of Concord, NC; sister, Nettie Dean Covington Gamble; husband, R. Troy Gamble of Monroe, NC, and their children and families; eight grandchildren, Christopher Michael Andrews, and wife Jessica Vasquez Andrews of Concord, NC, Samuel Dean Andrews, and wife Beverly Chin Andrews of Charlotte, NC, Meredith Grace Andrews Hattaway, and husband Jonathan Elliott Hattaway of Fort Mill, SC, Jonathan Baxter Stegall, and wife Kellie Reynolds Stegall of Monroe, NC, David Alexander Stegall of Nashville, TN, Adam Lane Stegall of Monroe, NC, Mary Katherine Stegall Alderman, and husband William Wakefield Alderman, of Wake Forest, NC, Susannah Kemp Stegall Carl, and husband Joseph Anthony Carl, of Wheat Ridge, CO; twelve great-grandchildren, Ava Rose Andrews, Sofia Losada Andrews, Nicolas Michael Andrews, Avery Elizabeth Andrews, Audrey Dean Andrews, Eleanor Grace Hattaway, Julian Dean Hattaway, Wyatt Gentry Stegall, Jackson Scott Stegall, Katherine Grace Stegall, Ian James Alderman, and Henry Graham Stegall.

            Margaret’s entire family wishes to express their sincere appreciation to the wonderful, caring staff of the Jesse Helms Nursing center, Monroe, NC, and Hospice of Union County, for their loving care and friendship extended to Margaret during her eighteen-month stay at Jesse Helms. The family also extends their sincere appreciation to Dr. John C. Vick, MD, founder of Union Family Practice, and his staff, for their loving care of Margaret over many years.

            A celebration of life service for Margaret Grace Covington Stegall will be conducted at the graveside at the Marshville City Cemetery at 2:00 P.M. on Friday, April 2, 2021 by Rev. Coy Blackman and Dr. Scott Wilson of First Baptist Church – Marshville. Morgan and Son Funeral Service of Marshville is serving the Stegall family.

During these times of limiting the numbers for social gatherings, the family respects your concerns of avoiding crowds, so they welcome you to stop by the funeral home on Thursday, April 1, 2021 from 1 PM until 3:30pm to pay your respects.  The family will not be present.

            Those who wish to honor the life of Margaret Grace Covington Stegall may contribute in her memory to the Jimmy K. Stegall and Margaret C. Stegall Scholarship Fund of Wingate University to benefit students from Union and Anson Counties, NC, Wingate University Office of Advancement, P O Box 159, Wingate, NC 28174-0159, please notate the name of the scholarship on the check or to the charity of the donor’s choice.