Margaret McElhannon Olsen

Margaret McElhannon Olsen, age 65, of Darien, Ga., passed away Friday, August 17, 2012 at her residence surrounded by family. Margaret was born on December 31, 1946 in Athens, Ga., the third child and first daughter of the late Dr. Fayette Monroe McElhannon, Sr. and the late Daisy Howell McElhannon of Athens, Ga.

Margaret was a Georgia Educator for 42 years. She had a B.S. degree in Science Education from West Georgia College, a Master's degree in Secondary Science Education from West Georgia College and was a member of Phi Kappa Phi Honor Society. She worked towards a Specialist Degree in Marine Science Education, Curriculum and Instruction from Georgia State University. She taught for the Douglas County Board of Education in Douglasville, Ga. for 23 years, Woodward Academy of College Park, Ga. for 13 years, and retired from the University of Ga. after 6 years as the Education Specialist for the Southeast Center for Ocean Science Education Excellence (COSEESE) in Savannah, Ga. During her career she was actively involved in numerous professional organizations, activities and received numerous honors for her work in Education.

Margaret was happily married to Mickey Olsen for 19 years and loved their coastal life together. Margaret was a member of and Lay Minister at St. Cyprian's Episcopal Church in Darien. She was an active member and officer of McIntosh Art Association. She loved painting, jewelry making, teaching pottery at the Darien Old Jail and gardening. Her passion was making one of a kind hand built pottery and she was known as "Margo".

She is survived by her husband, Mickey Olsen of Darien, Ga., daughters: Sonja M. Cox of St. Simons Island, Ga., Judy Cox-Martinez and husband, Saul Martinez of Darien, Ga./Hilton Head Island, S.C.; stepson's: Mike Olsen of Gainesville, Ga., Eric Olsen and wife, Jill Olsen of Jonesboro, Ga.; stepdaughter Julie Olsen of Jonesboro, Ga., and five grandchildren: Journey, Sarah, Sophia, Stella and Destiny.; brothers and sisters: Dr. Fayette M. McElhannon, Jr. of Athens, Ga., sister-in-law, Carole McElhannon of Athens, Ga., Julia L. McElhannon of Douglasville, Ga., John H. McElhannon of Athens, Ga., Dr. Alice M. Quinif and husband, Dr. Nicholas Quinif of Thomasville, Ga., Anna M. Rice and husband, Thomas Rice of Bowman, Ga., Dr. Rembert M. McElhannon and wife, Mary McElhannon of Athens, Ga., Grace M. Whelan and husband, Dr. Eddie Whelan of Savannah, Ga.; numerous nieces, nephews and cousins. She was preceded in death by her parents Dr. Fayette M. McElhannon, Sr., Daisy H. McElhannon and brother, William S. McElhannon.

A Memorial Service will be held at St. Cyprian's Episcopal Church in Darien, at 1 pm, Saturday, August 25, 2012, officiated by the Rev. Ted H. Clarkson. The family will receive friends at St. Cyprian’s Parish House immediately following the service. Food will be provided. The family requests in lieu of flowers, donations be made to Honey Creek Episcopal Camp and Conference Center in Waverly, Ga., 299 Episcopal Conference Center Road, Waverly, Ga. 31565. www.honeycreek.org.

Edo Miller and Sons Funeral Home in charge of arrangements.