Margaret Rose Thomas Khoury

COLUMBIA - Margaret Rose Khoury passed away Sunday February 1, 2015, after a prolonged illness surrounded by her six loving children. The Rosary will be recited at 6:00 p.m. Tuesday, February 3, 2015, at Dunbar Funeral Home, Devine Street Chapel, with visitation following until 8:00 p.m. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11:00 a.m. Wednesday, February 4, 2015, at St. Joseph Catholic Church. Honorary pallbearers will be John Abdalla, Norman Khoury, Peter Shahid, Bobby Burg and Alfred P. Joseph. Margaret Rose Thomas was born March 21, 1929 in Georgetown S.C. She was the third of four children born of Lebanese immigrant parents, the late E.C. and Catherine Thomas. She was raised in the Maronite Catholic Church. Growing up in The Great Depression and World War II provided a foundation for basic beliefs in faith, family, country and all life had to offer. Stunningly beautiful, humble, empathetic and nonjudgmental, these attributes were a result of her upbringing by her parents, and her siblings’ unconditional love. She bravely left Georgetown to venture off to Ursuline College and later moved to Washington D.C. where she briefly worked for the FBI and the U.S. Navy. She later met the love of her life, Leon Joseph Khoury, to whom she was happily married for 54 years. Life blossomed for her with being graced with six children within eight years. Raising children throughout the sixties was a unique experience which she often shared with her children until her final days. Her life was greatly enriched by years of international travel with her husband. Maggie, as she was known by her friends, loved to travel to Las Vegas and brought the card games home to share with friends. Entertaining at home with family and friends was a monthly occurrence highlighted by the Gamecock football games with family from Camden and Georgetown. Through the unique insight of Giddy Norman, seven cousins, all of similar age to her children, were raised next door. This instilled a deep appreciation of fun and family in her children. As her children grew, summers were spent in Georgetown at Thomas Cafe, owned by her parents, and brother, Pete, and at Pawleys Island with all of the wonderful Georgetown family. Her open heart and kitchen enriched the lives of all of her nieces and nephews from the Thomas, Joseph, Abdalla, Khoury, and Shahid family. As her children grew she became more involved in the Church and was selected state Catholic Woman of the Year in 1997, which was a humbling experience. Margaret Rose always was a lady of fashion and frequently was asked to model and was active on a local Fashion Board. Her life was further enriched by eleven grandchildren. All of her children lived close by, wanting their children to be able to experience the unconditional love, acceptance, and food they grew up with. This included wonderful Sunday dinners of kibbi, tabbouleh and Lebanese dancing. Christmas mornings, New Year’s and Easter gatherings enriched all of our lives and gave us time honored traditions to pass on to our families. Margaret Rose will continue to live through us and is survived by her children, Rose Ann Khoury Geffre (Michael), Jeanine Khoury, Norma Khoury Becker (James), Leon Joseph Khoury (Laura Hamilton), Mary Catherine Khoury Raad (Paul), Cindy Khoury Touma. Her grandchildren are Catherine Geffre, Maggie and Will Becker, Lee, Rose, and Luke Khoury, Rachel and Paul Anthony Raad, Daniel, Adam, and Thomas Touma. Her siblings, Louise Joseph, Pete Thomas, and Christine Thomas. She is also survived by an extended family of cousins, nieces, nephews and countless others to whom she was a second mother. In addition to her parents she was preceded in death by her loving husband, Dr. Leon Joseph Khoury. Memorials may be made to St. Joseph Catholic Church, 3600 Devine Street, Columbia, SC 29205.