Margaret R. Baker Memorial
Read here for her obituary and guestbook
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It is hard to imagine that Lady Margaret has gone to be with the Lord, but am thankful that she is no longer suffering. It was with such a heavy heart that I had to share the news only a few short days ago…your stories and fond memories have warmed my heart and I have shared them with the pageant folks. I thought I would share a few special memories of Lady Margaret with you:
Please continue to share your special memories and know that she loved each and every one of you with all of her heart. Fondly, Nancy Glisson Lucy I too am so grateful to have had the chance to talk to Margaret over the phone this summer during the pageant. She took so much pride in each one of her girls. I honestly was intimidated of her at first, because she exuded so much class and was the cornerstone of an organization that I stood in awe of for so long. But wow, did she ever prove my intimidation wrong after just one lunch! She had such an amazingly beautiful and tender heart and immediately made me feel so comfortable and at ease, as if I'd known her all my life. Her encouragement and belief in me was overwhelming throughout the entire year, and even more so after my year of service. The foundation she built in this organization is a huge reason we all take so much pride in it, and why we have such a close bond with one another. We owe her so much and to say she will be greatly missed is such an understatement. Thank you Margaret and we love you! Meghan Shanley Being Miss Virginia
I found myself busy with a schedule filled with schools, parades,
charity events, and fundraisers, and all of these times I was aiming
to be the best representative I could be. It is funny though,
because the times I went to Margaret's office downtown to say hello
were the times where I would find myself sometimes the most
anxious. Although I knew how much she loved and supported me I
can't tell you how much I treasured her approval. Through my four
years competing for the title of Miss Virginia it had been embedded
in me who she was and what grace and wisdom she brought to the
Miss Virginia Organization. That is
why once I won, I wanted nothing more than for her to be proud of my
year as Miss Virginia. She will never be forgotten and as a former
I will make it my mission to ensure that all who follow know why
they are here today. Because of Margaret Baker. We are so blessed
to have these memories. She loved us all so much. During my time as Miss
Virginia, there was Olla Thrasher, official Miss Virginia chaperone;
B. J. Patsel, pageant producer; and Margaret Baker, director,
president, bedrock and cornerstone of the Miss Virginia Pageant
organization. How I cherish the memories of my time with these
three great women! Now the last of this triumvirate is gone and an
era has passed. Margaret was always a calm, sure and steadfast
presence. Let us keep the pageant going and maintain the high
standards that Margaret has set. We all loved her and will miss
her. Margaret was such a sweet, sweet woman who truly dedicated her all to our organization. As an overwhelmed 22 year old at the time, I'm so grateful that volunteer Sandy Barton CONSTANTLY reminded me, "Call Margaret! Go see Margaret!" She asked for so little but gave so much. I remember that every time I would call her or see her she would invite me to The Library, preferably when dear Lowell was there, which we all can agree is a marvelous experience! Lots of love, I'm so sorry I won't be able to join my sisters today and I'm so sad to hear about Margaret. She has given so much to this organization and we are blessed to have had her in our lives. I'm so glad to have known her. I love you all. Tara Wheeler Hello, All – I know we’ve all been touched by Margaret in some very special way. She gave me wonderful, caring advice when I was a terrified 19 year old who didn’t even know how to read a map! She gave me much more than that – a real map for real life. I’m inspired to try to be half of what she was – investing selflessly in young women’s lives every single day. I’m so sad I won’t be there today – Shannon Bream
I will also be unable to attend and am deeply
saddened because Margaret was such an encouragement to me. I
remember dinners with her and Lowell and how we would laugh and
carry on. My favorite memory is the first time I met with her - it
was the week after I was crowned. I was so nervous when I walked
into her office at the Chamber, but she instantly put me at ease.
She told me that day I would win prelim talent at Miss America, and
she was there to celebrate with me on the night that I did. What a
wonderful, beautiful lady. Please extend my condolences to her
family. Margaret Baker was just a dear friend during my year as Miss Va. Not only did I know her in that capacity, but we went to the same church and she was in my Mother's Sunday School class at Va. Height Baptist Church. I also knew her children. As an 18 year old Miss Va., I really counted on her to help with everything. What a special lady. I laughed about the handwriting comment. I always looked forward to her Christmas cards with that beautiful address on the envelope. She touched all our lives.
Barbara Brower I held the Miss Virginia title before Margaret came into the organization, but once she was there, it was as though she had always been part of it! With her sweet precious smile, warmth, and wit, she had a way of making each one of us feel special. She became sister, best friend, confidant, and morale booster to all of her “girls”. She’ll be sorely missed, but how lucky we were to have had her play a very special role in our lives.
Barbara Guthrie Cobb
I AM
WORKING IN TULSA, OK AND AM NOT ABLE TO ATTEND MARGARET'S EARTHLY
FAREWELL, SHE WILL NEVER LEAVE US IN LOVE AND HEART!!!! Dear Miss VA sisters, I'm so sorry I won't be able to make the trip for today's services. But I would like to start a chain of remembrance for Margaret. Please share your favorite story or memory of Margaret by replying all here. One of my favorite memories of Margaret was her exquisite handwriting. I always loved receiving notes from her because of her remarkable penmanship. Love to you all, Jennifer 02 Dear Sisters, Dale and I were on vacation and unreachable so I'm just now reading about the passing of Margaret. Although I am sad, I am also smiling in remembrance of her life and person. She was always so kind and so attentive to making sure that all was well in my year as Miss Virginia - as I'm sure she did with all of her Miss Virginias. My most memorable thought of her is that she was not sure if this "dairy farmer" would be good for me - until she met him. Then she starting singing praises for Dale Gardner. It was so funny to see her do an "about face" after she met him. We have all been blessed just to know her.
Joan
Gardner MY DEAREST MISS VIRGINIAS, A LEGACY HAS PASSED AND WE SHALL ALL REMEMBER MARGARET LIKE A MOTHER WHO HELPED TO GUIDE US EVERY STEP OF THE WAY DOWN THAT WONDERFUL RUNWAY IN CONVENTION HALL. AS TOM WHITFIELD POINTED OUT, HOW ICONIC THAT SHE PASSED ON THE VERY WEEKEND THAT THE PAGEANT WAS HELD IN ATLANTIC CITY. WHAT A GIFTED, PASSIONATE, AND WONDERFUL LADY. I'M SO THANKFUL THAT I HAD THE OPPORTUNITY TO SPEAK TO HER IN JUNE ONE LAST TIME DURING PAGEANT WEEK. SHE WOULD HAVE BEEN SO PROUD TO BE PART OF ANOTHER MISS VIRGINIA REIGNING AS MISS AMERICA. MAY SHE REST IN PEACE,
KYLENE BARKER MCNEILL Dear Miss Virginia Sisters and members of the Miss Virginia Organization, Thank you for sharing the news of Margaret's passing. I was so upset I could travel to Roanoke to be with all of you yesterday for her funeral. I have been thinking so much over the last couple of days remembering Margaret and how much fun we all had during the many years being involved in the Miss Virginia Pageant productions. She was always in her seat downstage right and I could count on her being there for every performance. We must always remember, time is too precious not to savor the moment. When I think of Margaret I simply think of Proverbs 31:17. The Wife of Noble Character, who can find? She was the model of integrity and fairness to all. She was a peacemaker and a leader. She set about to do her work vigorously and her arms were strong for the task. Her lamp would not go out at night, remember all those late nights preparing for pageant week? She would never go to bed all week!! She spoke wisdom and she gave faithful instruction to all of us. I always loved sitting in her office surrounded by all the past Miss Virginia portraits and I would always feel so blessed to have been chosen to be among all of you. What a team of Margaret and BJ! Their work ethic and their friendship will always be a constant memory to cherish. The Miss Virginia Pageant and the City of Roanoke are blessed to have had Margaret Baker as their foundation and cheerleader. I join my Miss Virginia sisters and all of those who worked with the pageant and the chamber in celebrating the life of Margaret Baker. Her example of faithfulness, passion for a cause, and her love of every human being will stay in my heart forever. Thank you Margaret for being a Mother to us all. Sincerely,
Holly Jereme Wright To The Miss Virginia Sisters: I remember Margaret as one who loved each of her Miss Virginia girls. She believed that each one would do well at Miss America and "bring home the crown." I remember her telling me that she was not going to have my official portrait completed until after Miss America because she had so much confidence in me. Margaret was a wonderful role model for me during my year as Miss Virginia. I was able to speak with her in June and she continued to speak so favorably about "her girls." I will miss her!
Beverly Young |