Margaret Rose Tanksley passed away unexpectedly at her home on March 6, 2019 in Columbus, Kansas at the age of 72.
Margaret was born on June 1, 1946 in Freehold, New Jersey to Asbury Fountain Dill Sr, and Bertha Burlaigh. Although she was born to Bertha, she never considered Bertha her mother. Margaret’s mother was Ruth R. Norris, who raised her since she was a baby. She graduated from Fletcher High School in 1964.
She was married to her previous husbands Thomas Tester of Jacksonville, Florida and William Simmons of Sierra Vista, Arizona. Margaret has lived in New Jersey, Florida, California, Texas, Tennessee, Arizona and Kansas throughout her life. She was an LPN for a short time and always wished to return to school to become an RN but that dream she never got to achieve.
Although she had many jobs in her journey of life, being a mother was her greatest job. Margaret loved being a mother to her children and a grandmother to her grandbabies. She had so many children she fostered, and they all called her momma. She rejoiced in watching them grow into the people they have become.
Some of her favorite memories was spending time with her family, sitting and glaring at waterfalls, and traveling to new and exciting places. She had many talents. She loved to dance, had a singing voice of an angel, loved to sew and crochet. She could play an accordion, and organ, and she loved taking photos. She was an active and dedicated member of First Baptist Church in Lexington, Tennessee and her favorite memory was being able to be a part of the Faith Team with Pastor Wilson and several other members of the church. Margaret truly was an Angel of God.
Her family, friends and everyone that knew her will always have a special memory to carry in their hearts. Her memory and the legacy she leaves behind will never be forgotten and will continue to carry on. Margaret’s favorite saying was “I loved you then, I love you now and I will love you into infinity”.
Margaret was preceded in death by her parents, Ruth R. (Frank G.) Norris of Jacksonville, Florida, Asbury Fountain Dill Sr. of New Brunswick, New Jersey, Bertha Burlaigh of Freehold, New Jersey. brothers: Bobby Dill, Benny Dill, Charles Dill, Sammy Dill all of New Brunswick, New Jersey, Asbury “Daddy Don” Fountain (Rosemary) Dill Jr. of Lake City, Florida. Sisters: Alice Dill of New Brunswick, New Jersey, Mildred (Richard) Crawford of South Brunswick, New Jersey. Son: Randy Scott Simmons of Ripley, Tennessee.
Margaret was preceded in death by her parents, Ruth R. (Frank G.) Norris of Jacksonville, Florida, Asbury Fountain Dill Sr. of New Brunswick, New Jersey, Bertha Burlaigh of Freehold, New Jersey. brothers: Bobby Dill, Benny Dill, Charles Dill, Sammy Dill all of New Brunswick, New Jersey, Asbury “Daddy Don” Fountain (Rosemary) Dill Jr. of Lake City, Florida. Sisters: Alice Dill of New Brunswick, New Jersey, Mildred (Richard) Crawford of South Brunswick, New Jersey. Son: Randy Scott Simmons of Ripley, Tennessee.
Margaret is survived by her husband: Ray Tanksley of Columbus, Kansas, Sisters: Rose Mary Teetsell of Saint Augustine, Florida, and Sherry (Vance) Rawson of Saint Augustine, Florida. Children: Patricia (Timothy) Lyons of Savannah, Tennessee, Todd Simmons of Tucson, Arizona, Betsy (Brian) Franco of Tucson, Arizona, Shenna Denham (Nick Johnson) of Lexington, Tennessee, Leeann (Kenneth) Reaves of Oronogo, Missouri, Michael Simmons of Johnson City, Tennessee, Son in law Billy Wayne Denham Jr. (Christy Davis) of Henderson, Tennessee. Grand children: Karen Lyons (Matt Simpson) of Savannah, Tennessee, Crystal Lyons (Steven Frazier) of Savannah, Tennessee, Jeffrey (Elisha) Lyons of Savannah, Tennessee, David Tester of Jacksonville, Florida, Robby (Debra) Tester of Jacksonville, Florida, Billy Simmons of Tucson, Arizona, Marshal (Cassandra) Simmons of Tucson, Arizona, Sherrie (Richard Hankwitz ) Simmons of Tucson, Arizona, Dustin Simmons of Tucson, Arizona, Krystal Simmons of Tucson, Arizona, Melody (Jarrad) Brown of Henderson, Tennessee, Kelly (Danny) Bynum of Jackson, Tennessee, Kyle Denham (Tiana Harvey) of Henderson, Tennessee, Randy Reaves (Whitney Phillips) of Oronogo, Missouri, Nickolas Reaves of Oronogo, Missouri, Christopher Reed Reaves of Oronogo, Missouri, Raegan (Nicholi) Gray Winsett of Riverside, California; 19 great grand-children; and several nieces and nephews.
A Celebration of Life will be held on Sunday, March 17, 2019 at Parker Mortuary from 4:00 p.m. until 6:00 p.m..
Cremation arrangements are under the direction of Parker Mortuary.
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