Margaret Marsh Stoddard

Born in Kijima, Nera, Tanganyika (Tanzania), Africa on October 23, 1923, to African Inland Mission missionary parents, Thomas Graham Marsh and Margaret Engle Marsh.

At the age of 13 her Dad died on July 1, 1936 in Brooklyn, NY after complications from ruptured appendix while on the boat returning from Africa. Margaret joined her brother, Allan, at the Westervelt Home where she got her High School training before attending Columbia Bible College. Margaret went on to graduate from Wheaton College.

At the Westervelt Home, Margaret met James A. Stoddard, a missionary kid from the Congo with the Christian and Missionary Alliance. James also attended Columbia Bible College, and they became engaged in 1946. They were married on August 26, 1947 by Dr. Robert C. McQuilken, the founder of Columbia Bible College, and a long term friend of Margaret’s mother. They chose as their life verse, Colossians 1:18b, “That in all things He might have the preeminence.” Having it engraved in their wedding rings.

James and Margaret were appointed as missionaries in February 1951, under the Central American Mission (later known as CAM International, then Camino Global before merging with Avante Ministries). They sailed to Costa Rica for language school with their two small children, Alice and Bob, in December 1951 on a small banana boat, a converted LST landing craft.

While in language school their son Carey, was born. After language school they were delayed in going to Guatemala due to political unrest. They entered Guatemala on September 1953 to begin their 38 year ministry there. Their 4th child, David, was born in Guatemala, completing their A,B,C,D’s.

Besides being a godly wife and mother, Margaret taught Bible and piano in the Mk school, Huehue Academy. She was Den Mother for Cub Scouts and encouraged her sons Robert and David to complete their Eagle requirements in Boy Scouts. Margaret taught Bible classes in several Guatemalan schools and always had Bible clubs going. Margaret has a lot of spiritual children in Guatemala.

James and Margaret retired in 1989 and made their new home in the Bradenton Missionary Village now known as il Villaggio Homes. As members of New Hope Baptist Church, Sunday was always the highlight of the week for them. Margaret also served in the AWANA program. They participated in a weekly Sunday afternoon service for residents at a local Nursing Home for 18 years.

They later had to move into assisted living and then into the nursing home. James went on ahead to his heavenly home on April 12, 2012. Now Margaret is rejoicing with the loved ones that went on before her.

A visitation for Margaret will be held Friday, January 21, 2022 from 9:30 AM to 10:00 AM at Robert Toale and Sons Funeral Home at Manasota Memorial Park, 1221 53rd Ave East, Bradenton, FL 34203. A funeral service will occur Friday, January 21, 2022 from 10:00 AM to 11:00 AM, 1221 53rd Ave East, Bradenton, FL 34203. A committal service will occur Friday, January 21, 2022 from 11:30 AM to 12:00 PM at Manasota Memorial Park, 1221 53rd Ave East, Bradenton, FL 34203.

Margaret was an active member of New Hope Baptist Church in Parrish FL.

Memorial donations in Margaret's memory may be made to the church at: New Hope Baptist Church, 9422 Old Tampa Road, Parrish Fl. 34219

New Hope Missions Fund

NHBCONLINE.ORG