Hargrove, Margaret Sweeney Wilson

Margaret Celeste Sweeney Wilson Hargrove died peacefully at her home in Floyd, Va., on Friday, June 11, 2010. Born in Floyd, Va., on January 24, 1913, she was the daughter of the late Peter E. and Cameron Sweeney.

She and Walter A. Wilson Sr., of Willis, Va., were wed in April of 1934. A lifelong teacher, she earned a teaching certificate from Radford College in 1931 and went back to Radford and earned a college degree in 1951. She began her teaching career in 1932 at Toncray on Black Ridge and later taught in several one room schools and at Floyd County High School in Floyd, Va. In the mid 1950’s the family moved to Roanoke, Va., where she taught at Belmont Elementary and later located to Fairfax, Va., where Mrs. Wilson taught at Oakton Elementary and then concluded her teaching career with a 19-year run at Jermantown Elementary School in the City of Fairfax. After retiring from teaching in 1973, Margaret moved back to her cherished Floyd County where she and her second husband, Hermon Hargrove, enjoyed traveling and gardening. Later she lived quietly, except for the night on the town for her 95th birthday where she flat-footed at the Floyd Country Store Friday Night Jamboree, and always enjoyed the visits from her large family and many friends. Margaret is survived by her sister, Lois Poff, of Floyd, Va.; her sons and daughters-in-law, Walter Jr. and Dorothy Wilson, of Fairfax, Sam and Leah Wilson, of Fredericksburg, Pete Wilson, of Fairfax, and Paul and Lee Wilson, of Oregon; daughters, Pauline “Polly” Wilson Eckels, of Floyd, and Lena Wilson Bussey, of Floyd; her grandchildren, Walter “Kiz” Wilson III, James Eckels, Kelly Wilson, Mark Wilson, Jane Eckels, Jill Eckels, Wendy W. Smith, Michele Wilson, Jennifer W. Sacco, Peter Wilson Jr., and Joe Thompson; several great-grandchildren, and great-great-grandchildren; and many nephews and nieces. She is also survived by her best friend, Ruby Sutphin; and her many caregivers who provided wonderful and faithful care for her during the last years of her life. Margaret was predeceased by her parents, Peter E. and Cameron Sweeney; first husband, Walter A. Wilson Sr.; her second husband, Hermon Hargrove; and her brothers and sisters, Ballard Sweeney, Lynwood Sweeney, Strick Sweeney, Zellwood S. Ferguson, Loma S. Lowe, and Stephen Wilson; and a grandchild. Visitation will be held on Saturday, June 12, 2010, from 6 to 8 p.m. at Gardner Funeral Home in Floyd, Va. A Graveside Service will be held 2 p.m. on Sunday, June 13, 2010, at the Strickler Sweeney Cemetery with the Rev. Roy Turpin officiating. Online condolences may be made to the family at www. gardnerfuneralhomefloyd.com