Life Reflections of Margaret Joyce Hedgepeth Person

August 10, 1932 – October 29, 2019

Margaret Joyce Hedgepeth Person was born on August 10, 1932 in Nash County, North Carolina. She was the 10 ^th of 12 children born to Jetty Joseph and Sallie Bass Hedgepeth. She departed this life on October 29, 2019 and transitioned to her heavenly home.

Margaret accepted the Lord Jesus Christ as her personal savior at an early age and, with her entire family, worshiped at Crowell Missionary Baptist Church in Halifax, North Carolina. At the age of 16, Margaret began to use her God-given talent as a pianist to lead His people in worship through music—a ministry in which she served for almost 70 years.

Margaret attended public schools in Halifax County, North Carolina, and earned her high school diploma from Halifax County Training School, where she graduated as the class salutatorian. She later attended and graduated from Spradley Beauty College in Newport News, VA. While she and her husband, Steve ("Teen"), raised their children, Joyce and Carl, Margaret helped support her household as both a licensed cosmetologist and a professional seamstress.

Margaret faithfully served as a pianist and choir director for numerous churches throughout the region, most notably, Crowell, Piney Grove, Shiloh, and Smith Chapel Missionary Baptist Churches. On any given Sunday, you could hear Margaret playing and singing praises unto the Lord in her strong, alto voice. She was known throughout the region as the ultimate "Hymnologist," playing and singing in various choirs, including the United Voices and Joyful Sounds. Margaret was appointed as a Mother of the Church at Crowell Missionary Baptist Church in 2018 and consistently attended bible study, vacation bible school, and almost every special program.

Margaret truly loved being a member of the Concerned Citizens of Tillery (CCT). For decades, she played piano and led the group in singing during the morning devotions prior to the weekly meetings. She enjoyed CCT's many outings, including the Norfolk cruise, lobbying at the State capital, and conferences. Most of all, she cherished being able to share the valuable information she gathered at the CCT meetings with her fellow seniors and family. Margaret was also a relentless advocate for Civil Rights, especially the right to vote.

She was a loving, cheerful and energetic person who loved to interact with others.  Margaret's greatest joys in life were developing her relationship with God; spending time with her family and friends; singing and playing music; and cooking for anyone who stopped by to partake of her delicious biscuits, chicken and dumplings, fried corn, fried chicken, soup, peach streusel, and chocolate cake. However, her most precious time was participating in the Annual Family Prayer Meeting on Christmas morning. It was an exceptional time of prayer, fellowship and rejoicing in the Glory, Majesty and Power of our Lord and Savior.

Margaret was preceded in death by her loving husband, Steve; devoted daughter, Joyce Person-Tyler; daughter-in-law, Mary Artis Person; parents, Jetty and Sallie Hedgepeth; and all 11 of her siblings, Louvenia Robinson; Rufus Hedgepeth; Clarence Hedgepeth; Octavia Bryant; Beulah Byrd; Kelly Hedgepeth; Almetia Whitaker; Bettie Hilliard; Mildred Whitaker; Christine Smith; and Bernice Anderson.

She leaves to cherish her memory, her devoted son, Dr. Carl S. Person (Lisa) of Upper Marlboro, MD; her beloved, only granddaughter, Dr. Cara J. Person of Atlanta, GA; three sister-in-laws, Geneva Hedgepeth of Halifax, NC, Lillian Flood of Baltimore, MD, and Joyce Person of Enfield, NC; two brother-in-laws, Langston Smith of Hyattsville, MD and Lawrence Anderson of Washington, DC; son-in-law Bobby Tyler of Ahoskie, NC; a host of loving nieces and nephews; and extended relatives and friends from her community and multiple churches. Each one loved her deeply and will miss her presence as a matriarch and pillar of faith.

Funeral service will be held Saturday Nov. 2, 2019 11AM at Smith Chapel Baptist Church in Enfield. A public viewing will be held Friday Nov. 1, 2019 5-7PM at Crowell Baptist Church  in Halifax. Another public viewing will be held one hour before the funeral at  Smith Chapel Baptist Church. Burial  will be in the Crowell Baptist Church cemetery.