Margaret Lee Payne Overton

Margaret Lee Payne Overton passed away on September 24, 2013 after a brief illness. She was born May 24, 1928 in Newport News to Dr. Waverly R. and Lafayette J. Payne. She was a member of the Newport News High School Class of 1945, and was graduated from Saint Mary’s College in Raleigh, NC, in 1947. She also attended the PanAmerican Business School in Richmond in 1948. Following her years of education, she returned to Newport News to work for Newport News High School, and later as the secretary to the Administrator of Riverside Hospital.

Margaret Lee married Nelson Tilghman Overton in June of 1952. She became a member of Trinity United Methodist Church that same year, and held many church positions through the years. She was the Secretary to the Women’s Auxiliary, a Circle Leader, Chair of the Worship Committee, Chair of the Music Committee, and served as a substitute organist. For many years, Margaret Lee served as the organist for the Wednesday Noonday Services held weekly at Trinity UMC.

Margaret Lee was a member of the Junior League of Hampton Roads, having served as its Vice President, Treasurer, and Provisional Chair, as well as a volunteer with the speech school. She was a member of the Kecoughtan Literary Circle, and served as its past President. She served as Vice Regent and Americanism Chairman in the Daughters of the American Revolution Warwick Chapter (NN). She also served as President and member of the Pembroke Garden Club. She has been a member of the Virginia Choral Society Board of Directors since 1996. She was a member of the Red Hat Society (Scarlette Belles) and the Hampton Yacht Club.

Margaret Lee had a long seeded concern for the elderly long before she retired to Warwick Forest. She was a member of the Board of the Patrick Henry Hospital Auxiliary, and served as its President for two terms, and its Fair Chairman for two years. From there, she moved onto the Peninsula Agency on Aging Board, where she was Secretary for two six-year terms, as well as on the PAA Board of Endowment. She was also on the Riverside Retirement Services Board of Directors (now Warwick Forest) for eleven years.

Margaret Lee and Nelson loved entertaining, and did so every chance they had. They especially enjoyed hosting their club groups, the members of the court and clerk’s office at Christmas time, and friends from Langley Field and Fort Monroe. They loved traveling together, and especially enjoyed their time with the VMI 49B crowd. Margaret Lee enjoyed sewing, knitting, crossword puzzles, and jigsaw puzzles, and was rarely seen sitting idly.

Margaret Lee is survived by her three children, Nancy Overton Smith and her husband, Steve, of Hampton; Waverly Nelson Overton and his wife, Amy, of Clovis, CA; and Peggy Overton Vaughan, of Greenville, NC. She is also survived by her grandchildren, Jessica H. Vaughan and Caroline R. Vaughan, of Greenville, NC; Taylor Overton and Emily Overton, of Clovis, CA; and Abby Smith, of Hampton.

A memorial service will be held at 11:00 am on Friday, September 27, 2013 at Trinity United Methodist Church, 228 29th Street, in Newport News, with the Rev. Jennifer Day presiding. The family will receive friends following the service.

Memorials may be made to The Children’s Home Society, 4200 Fitzhugh Avenue, Richmond, VA 23230, or The Virginia Choral Society Endowment Fund, PO Box 1742, Newport News, VA 23601.

Friends are encouraged to visit www.parklawn-woodfh.com to share memories and words of condolence with the family.

Arrangements are under the care of Parklawn-Wood Funeral Home, 2551 N. Armistead Ave. in Hampton, 23666.