A graveside service will be held 2:00 p.m. Sunday, December 31, 2017, in Greenlawn Memorial Park, a memorial service will follow at 3:00 p.m. at Shandon United Methodist Church. Immediately following the service, the family will host a visitation reception. Dunbar Funeral Home on Devine Street is assisting the family with arrangements.
Margaret was born in DesArc, Arkansas to Johnnie and Alice Edwards Cowger. As a young child, she moved to Shreveport, La. and attended C.E. Byrd High School, where she met her future husband, Ray Kightlinger. Ray’s job required a number of moves early on in the marriage. Whenever a college or university was nearby, Margaret continued her studies and completed her BA and Master’s in Education from USC. She began teaching at E.L. Wright Middle School where she was teacher of the year 1976-1977. Margaret continued teaching social studies at Dent Middle School until her retirement in 1994. After retirement, Margaret began working with stained glass and took great joy in making crosses that she would give to friends and family. Her other passions included Girl Scouts, Cub Scouts and her grandchildren. Margaret had a special passion of teaching adults to read in cooperation with the Columbia Literacy Council.
She was a faithful member of Shandon UMC since 1970. She served on numerous commissions and served for many years as a caregiver in the church’s Stephen Ministry Outreach.
In addition to her parents, she was predeceased by her brothers, Charles and Billy Cowger.
She is survived by her husband of 66 years, Ray Milton Kightlinger; two sons, Gary M. Kightlinger (Lorraine) of Coral Springs, Fla., Steve E. Kightlinger (Karon) of Summerfield, N.C.; a daughter, Jana K. Spell (Ronnie) of Blythewood, S.C.; eight grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren.
Memorial contributions may be made in Margaret’s honor to Shandon UMC, 2407 Devine Street, Columbia, SC 29205.
Please sign the online guestbook at www.dunbarfunerals.com.
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