Margaret Schmidt Sullivan

Margaret Schmidt Sullivan, 80, of Pleasant Garden, NC, and formerly of El Dorado Springs, died Thursday, Sept. 10, 2009, at Clapp’s Nursing Center in Pleasant Garden, NC. She was born on Dec. 1, 1928, to Katie and Everett Schmidt in El Dorado Springs.

Margaret graduated from El Dorado Springs High School and attended Drury College in Springfield. She then transferred to Brenau University in Gainesville, GA, where she earned a BA degree in Business Education. In 1950, she received her Master of Arts degree in Office and Business Education from the University of Tennessee. She was a member of Kappa Delta Sorority.

In 1955, Margaret moved to Rocky Mount with her husband, Charles. She worked at the Social Security Administration office in Rocky Mount for 29 years. She volunteered as the organist for Edgemont Presbyterian Church for many years. In addition to being a talented musician, Margaret was a wonderful cook who enjoyed spending time with friends and family exchanging recipes and concocting exquisite culinary creations. She had a sense of adventure and enjoyed her travels to the Middle East, Europe and the Caribbean. In recent years, she was an enthusiastic fan of the North Carolina Tar Heels Basketball team, often calling friends and family at the end of the game to regale the excitement of a win. Loved ones will miss her amusing sense of humor. Margaret’s grandchildren, in particular, will miss her generosity and devotion to each of them plus her genuine interest in their lives.

She was preceded in death by her parents and her husband, Charles Edgar Sullivan Jr.

Margaret is survived by her three children and their spouses - Susan and her husband, John Bova - The Woodlands, TX, Shelly and her husband, Delbert Kirkman - Pleasant Garden, NC, and Chuck and his wife, Debbie Sullivan - Red Oak; six grandchildren - Kevin Sullivan and wife, Chanee, Lauren Dalton, Ashley Dalton, Matthew Bova, Kathryn Bova and Krissy Sullivan; one great-grandchild, Analyce Sullivan; and five beloved pets, Dolly, Ginger, Tinkerbell, Rufeo and Spooky, who brightened the last days of her life by many bedside visits to the nursing home.

Graveside services were held at Rocky Mount Memorial Park on Sunday, Sept. 13, under the direction of Johnson Funerals and Cremations, Rocky Mount, NC.

The family would like to extend their deepest and sincere gratitude to Dr. James Deterding and staff at Moses Cone Hospital in Greensboro, NC, for their kind and compassionate care given during Margaret’s illness. The family would also like to express their immeasurable appreciation to the staff at Clapp’s Nursing Center for their extraordinary concern, selfless devotion and unparalleled care given to Margaret.

Memorial contribution in Margaret’s name may be made to Edgecombe-Nash Humane Society, PO Box 1783, Rocky Mount, NC 27802-1783.

Arrangements were entrusted to Johnson Funeral’s & Cremations, 661 English Rd, Rocky Mount, NC 27804. Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.johnsonfuneralsand cremations.com.