Margaret Henry's Obituary
Margaret Ellen Clark Henry went to be with her Lord on Sunday, March 22, 2015. The youngest daughter of Dr. James Andrew Clark and Margaret Ellen Clark, Margaret grew up in Memphis, TN attending East High and the University of Memphis. She graduated with honors from Memphis State in 1977, and soon received a Master’s degree and numerous graduate hours at the University of Memphis. She also attended Christian Brothers University’s Leadership Program. Margaret’s passion for education was evident as she was a teacher in both Shelby County and Memphis City Schools. She taught at Farmington Elementary and Grahamwood Elementary. She also worked with a one-one-one tutoring program for seven years at MCS to get struggling students the help they needed to improve their reading and math skills. She taught with love and laughter, and encouraged children to succeed wherever she went. Family and friends came to know her as “LaiLai” for the nickname “Little Lady” that her father called her. She loved to read, work around the house and in her yard, and spend time with family and friends. She was a compassionate caregiver for her aunt for 15 years. She was a member of Second Presbyterian Church, Walking By Faith & Sojourners classes, a nursery worker for many years, and core leader in the Vacation Bible School program. Her faith kept her comforted through the loss of her parents at an early age. Margaret’s love for her country was demonstrated in her duties as past regent of Hermitage Chapter NSDAR, state Magazine chairman TSDAR, Past Chairman of the TSDAR Regent’s Club, Past Chairman of the Memphis and Shelby County Regents’ Council, and State Librarian. She was also an active member of General Forrest Chapter of United Daughters of the Confederacy, the Tulip Grove Chapter of Daughters of 1812, and the Red Acres Garden Club. Margaret joined the Hermitage Chapter of DAR, December 2, 2000, as a descendant of John Bankston of Virginia through her mother, Margaret Ellen Smith Clark, a member of DAR in Louisiana from 1949 until her death in 1971. Margaret served as Hermitage Chapter Regent from 2004 until 2010, as well as chairman of several committees. She was the Tennessee State Chairman of the DAR Magazine from 2010-2013. In 2013, she was elected the Tennessee State Librarian and served in that capacity until her death. Margaret was a beloved member of the Tennessee Society Daughters of the American Revolution, bringing smiles to every face with her positive, happy demeanor and exuberant personality. She was a fervent patriot, a tireless worker and an exceptional leader. Margaret leaves behind her loving husband of 37 years, A.B. Henry, her precious daughters, Virginia Clark Cox and Mary Elizabeth Henry, and son-in-law, Tommy Cox. She leaves her siblings James A. Clark, III, John Arthur Clark, and sister, Mary Charlotte Perry. LaiLai was the strongest Christian who eagerly voiced her faith, the friendliest person to all, and a loving mother and wife. Her friends were like family to her, and her love of laughter will be missed by all. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in memory of Margaret Clark Henry to The Tennessee Society Daughters of the American Revolution, which seeks to contribute to the benefit of young people in several ways. Two of the funds that Margaret had as a personal interest are described below. Memorial contributions may be made to these funds by sending a check payable to TSDAR with a notation of which fund it is to support to Jeanne Preston, TSDAR Treasurer, 344 Sliders Knob Avenue, Franklin, TN 37067-2643. Tamassee DAR School Fund Tamassee DAR School is a private 501 (c) (3) non-profit children’s home and family service organization offering multi-faceted programs to serve children and families with a variety of needs. Year round services are provided for up to 68 children in residence, 54 children through the children’s center, 60 children in after care services and 20 children within the middle-school academy program. Programs and services include seven child care homes that house up to 10 children, a middle school academy open to the public and residential students, individual and group counseling, enrichment and recreational activities, and an after care program for reunified families and students enrolled in college. The Tamassee School provides a home for children separated from their parents due to family illness, conflicts, financial issues or other problems. The primary goal of care for every child is to improve communication, trust and understanding within the family along with a strong education component for each child. Molly Stewart Fund This fund was created to honor Mary Elizabeth “Molly” Stewart, who served the Tennessee Society as a page for State Conferences during her high school years before she was tragically killed in a boating accident in 2000. The purpose of the fund is to help defray expenses of attending Continental Congress for the TSDAR Outstanding Junior. TSDAR will give $500 per year to the Outstanding Junior from this fund if she attends Continental Congress. TSDAR would like to increase the amount given to the OJ to a level that will approach covering the expense of her trip to Continental Congress in the year of her award (approximately $1,200). This fund enables young women to participate in the annual meeting of the DAR in Washington, DC, and encourages their development in support of DAR. All services for Margaret Henry will be held on Friday, March 27th, 2015 at Second Presbyterian Church, 4055 Poplar Avenue, Memphis, TN 38111. The visitation will be from 1:00-2:00pm in the Sanctuary’s lobby, and the Funeral Service will begin at 2:00 pm in the Sanctuary.Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to Memorial Park Funeral Home and Cemetery, 5668 Poplar Ave. Memphis, TN 38119, “Behind the Stone Wall.”
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