Hurst, Mary Margaret (Vess), age 90, died peacefully on Sunday, November 18, 2012 at Fort Sanders Regional Medical Center following a lengthy illness. She was born May 11, 1922 in Knoxville, Tennessee, the daughter of the later James M. Vess and Judie D. Vest. She was one of ten children, six of who preceded her in death. Surviving her are two sisters, Ethel Thomas and Maggie Lewis of Cleveland Tennessee, and one brother, Elmer Vess of Cosby, Tennessee. She was married on November 18, 1939 to the late Enoch I. Hurst. She was preceded in death by an infant daughter, Mary Frances who died on March 5, 1966; her husband Enoch who died on July 2, 1989; her step-son, Fred I. Hurst who died on December 17, 1992; and several gerandchildren and sons-in-law. She is survived by twelve of her children: Jennie Hurst, Katherine Ownby, Gladys West all of Knoxville, Tennessee; Carolyn (Raymond) Tinsley of Seymour, Tennessee; Ronald (Beth) Hurst of Cleveland, Tennessee; Moquita (Raymond) McCranie of Chatsworth, Georgia; Helen (Nathan) Towe of Lebanon, Ohio; Betty (Lynn) Murphy of Rocky Face, Georgia; Terry (Tami) Hurst of Strawberry Plains, Tennessee; Ginger (Robert) Long, Morris E. (Lisa) Hurst, and Robin L. Hurst all of Knoxville, Tennessee. She is also survived by 38 grandchildren, 60 great-grandchildren, 9 great-great-grandchildren; and 5 great-great-great-grandchildren. Margaret worked at Alpha Industries for 24 years sewing field coats for the military. She retired when she was 71 years old and would have worked longer had not her children encouraged her to retire. Except for a few years spent in Chatsworth, Georgia with her daughter, Knoxville, Tennessee has been her home. Besides her family, her greatest joy was her church family. She attended South Knoxville Church of God since she was a young girl (for at least 73 years). She loved to teach her Sunday School class called the Faithful Doers, sing in the Choir, quilt with the ladies, and prepare food for special occasions. Margaret was known as Mamaw to everyone. They loved her biscuits, chicken and dumplings, and oatmeal cake. She loved to cook for her family. She was a beautiful, gracious woman. Proverbs 31 is an excellent description of her. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to South Knoxville Church of God, 5623 Magazine Road, Knoxville, TN 37920 designated for Appalachian Childrens Home. Funeral services will be held at South Knoxville Church of God on Wednesday, November 21, 2012 at 2:00 PM, Rev. Robert Branch officiating. She will be laid to rest at Mount Olive Cemetery following the funeral service. Pallbearers will be her grandsons. The family will receive friends on Tuesday, November 20, 2012 from 5:00 PM until 7:00 PM at Berry Funeral Home, Chapman Highway. Condolences may be offered at www.berryfuneralhome.com
SHARE OBITUARY
v.1.8.18