Mrs. Margaret Bixler Howell, age 94 of Wallace, NC, died on June 23, 2016 at Pender Memorial Hospital. Burial will be at Mt. Comfort Cemetery in Alexandria, VA on Wednesday, June 29 at 12:00 p.m. Memorial services will be held on Saturday, July 16, at Mt. Vernon United Methodist Church at 11:00 a.m. and on Monday, July 25 at Wallace United Methodist Church at 4:00 p.m.

Margaret is survived by two sons, Robert Lyndon Howell and wife Elaine Merrey Howell of Williamsburg, VA and Thomas G. Howell, Sr. and wife Kathryn Ann Howell of Wallace, NC, her sister, Louise Bixler Griffith of Corinth, TX, six grandchildren, Thomas G. Howell, Jr., Stephanie E. Howell, Catherine H. Maiberger, Amy J. Redwine, Martha E. Howard and Alison J. Harlow and ten great grandchildren.

Margaret was born on April 30, 1922 in Washington, DC to the late Walter Glen and Ruth Harris Bixler. Her husband, Odie Robert Howell, Jr., also predeceased her.

Margaret or "Bickie" as her friends knew her lived in Northern Virginia for almost all of her life. She was a longtime resident of the Ft. Hunt area for over 62 years. Margaret graduated from Washington Lee High School in 1939 and matriculated to Madison College that same year. On December 22, 1942, she married her high school sweetheart, Odie R. Howell, Jr.

Margaret graduated from Madison College with a teaching degree in 1943. While her husband was overseas during the war, she taught for 3 years at Henry Clay Elementary School in Arlington County, VA.

Margaret was a living example of Christianity throughout her life. She accepted Christ at the age of 12. Margaret was a powerful influence on bringing others to Christ as her sister and parents joined Calvary United Methodist Church with her at Christmas in 1934.

Throughout her life, Margaret was involved in the work of the church. She joined Mt. Vernon United Methodist Church in 1953, the year it began, and was a member until her death. Among her many activities, she taught Sunday School for over 30 years, served as President of the Women's Society, sang in the church choir, and led the Prayer Group. When she moved to Wallace, NC with her son in 2013, she attended Wallace United Methodist Church. Once again Margaret was a living example of Christianity, as she loved to attend the Bible Study sessions each Tuesday morning. She could recite the names of all 66 books of the Bible by memory in less than one minute.

Margaret also donated her time to many community outreach activities. She was a volunteer at the American Red Cross, The United Community Ministries and up to her late 80's, she volunteered at the Mt. Vernon Hospital.

Margaret was very active in the Order of the Eastern Star. She was a Past Worthy Matron of the Martha Washington Chapter OES #42 and a member for over 63 years.

Margaret was truly an example of Christianity acknowledging the Lord every day of her long life. Her caring, outgoing personality, ready smile, boundless energy, helping hand and unselfish service to her church and community made her well known and endeared her to her friends and fellow citizens. She truly lived her favorite Bible verse of Proverbs 3:5-6 " Trust in the Lord with all thine heart and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge Him and He shall direct thy paths ."

In lieu of flowers, please send memorials in Margaret's memory to Mt. Vernon UMC, 2006 Bell View Blvd, Alexandria, VA 22307 or Wallace UMC, 303 S. College Street, Wallace, NC 28466.

To sign the guest book, go to www.padgettfuneralhome.com.

A service of Padgett Funeral and Cremation Services, Wallace.