Marguerite Lavender, a longtime resident of Macon, passed away on Wednesday, May 2, 2012 at age 102 after a long life dedicated to her family and to serving God. She was born Mary Marguerite Barksdale on August 4, 1909, the daughter of Ettie Herfel Barksdale and Byron Benjamin Barksdale, of Powellton, GA. She attended school in Hancock County and the Martha Berry School for Girls in Rome, GA. In 1922, her family moved to Macon where she lived for the remainder of her life. After receiving training at the Georgia! Alabama Business Institute, she went to work for the Otis Elevator Company. In 1938 she began work with Central Sash and Door Company where she stayed until that business closed in 1961. She then went to work for the First National Bank and Trust Company of Macon from which she retired in 1971.

Mrs. Lavender was an active member of the First Baptist Church and, in later years of the Porterfield Baptist Church. She was predeceased by three loving husbands, all of Macon: Dennie Lockhart McCrary, Sr. in 1939, Roy Howard Gwynes in 1959 and James Henry Lavender in 1981; and by two siblings, Julian Herfel Barksdale and Dorothy B. Hawkins, both of Macon.

Survivors include a son, Dennie Lockhart McCrary (Frances) of Sea Island, GA, a daughter, Joyce McCrary Coogle (Gene) of Macon, a stepson, Ralph Vernon Lavender (Lila) of Harvest, AL, and a stepdaughter, Faye Lavender Newton(widow of the late Dr. Billy Newton); grandchildren, Jennifer M. Hoffacker of Murray, KY; Parker McCrary of Jacksonville, FL; Catherine M. Main of Charleston, SC; Randy Coogle of Eastman; Arthur Coogle of Macon; Roy Coogle of Saudi Arabia and Eugenia C. Carter of Lawrenceville; stepgrandchildren, Monty Lavender of Chesapeake, VA; Lisa L. Reed of Harvest, AL; Ross Newton of Macon; Mark Newton of Augusta; Todd Newton of Macon; and Kay N. Whitlock of Franklin, TN. In addition she is survived by 29 great grandchildren and 3 great, great grandchildren.