Margaret Ray Mercer Gavin

Margaret Ray Mercer Gavin, age 86, of Rye, AR, died Sunday November 23, at Chapel Woods Nursing Center in Warren, AR. She was born to Willie Ray Mercer and Claudia Merle Tooke Mercer in their home in Rye, AR on July 31, 1928.
She attended elementary school at the Baggett School in Rye and when it closed she attended and graduated from 
Woodlawn Public School.
At age 16 she broke her back and right leg when a tree fell from a strong wind. She was in a body cast for a year at UAMS Hospital. Her leg was severely damaged and she was treated with some of the first penicillin in our state when it was poured directly into the wound. Her case is documented in the AR Medical Record book as a successful treatment with penicillin.
After graduation she attended A&M College in Monticello until she married Loyd Collins Gavin at Enon Baptist Church in Rye on January 31, 1948.
Her first job was at Bradley Lumber Company as a clerk in the bookkeeping department. She had her firstborn child the night of the 1949 tornado in Warren. She enjoyed being a housewife and mother as well as helping with the family farm including raising poultry, cattle, cotton and tomatoes.
In 1973, at age 45, she returned to UAM and received her R.N. degree in 1975.
She was an inspiration and touched many lives while working as Director of Nursing at a number of nursing homes in southeast AR and through her work with the Dept. of Health as a Home Health Personal Car Coordinator. She retired with the AR Dept. of Health at age 69.
She was a lifelong member of Union United Methodist Church in Rye where in years past she worked with the youth at UMY (United Methodist Youth), taught youth Sunday School and was a member of UMW (United Methodist Women). She also held offices in the Woodlawn School PTA and was an Eastern Star member.
She was preceded in death by her husband and parents.
She is survived by her children Gaylia King of Little Rock, Rayburn (Angela) Gavin, John "Jackie" (Sandy) Gavin and Alicia (Dan) Outlaw as well as a son by heart Earl (Patty) Wells of Jackson, TN along with 7 grandchildren by birth, 2 by heart and 5 great grandchildren.
Her grandchildren and great grandchildren were the joy of her life and gave her countless hours of laughter and happiness. She enjoyed traveling with friends on bus tours and trips.
Margaret was in the last stages of Parkinsons and Alzheimers and left this world surrounded by her children.
Graveside services 3:30 p.m. Tuesday November 25, Union Cemetery at Rye, AR by Frazer’s Funeral Home. Visitation 6-8 p.m. Monday November 24, at Frazer’s. Online guest register  HYPERLINK "http://www.frazerfuneralhome.com" www.frazerfuneralhome.com