Marjorie Powers Toth

COLUMBIA - Marjorie Powers Toth, widow of the late LTC Louis L. Toth (Retired), died on July 10, 2019. Services will be held 2:00 p.m. on Sunday, July 14, 2019 at Dunbar Funeral Home, Devine St. Chapel with Reverend Jane Mitchum, Pastor of Incarnation Lutheran Church, officiating. Visitation will be held 1:00 p.m. prior to the service. Burial will follow at Greenlawn Memorial Park. A celebration of Margie’s life will be held at the family home following the service.

Margie is predeceased by her daughter, Teena, who passed away on April 6, 2019.

Born in 1928, she was the daughter of William Leroy and Leila Smith Powers. Margie graduated from Brookland-Cayce High School and Draughton’s Business School in both their secretarial programs. She also graduated from Patricia Stevens Finishing School, Baltimore, Maryland, where she was asked to join their faculty. However, due to the retirement of her husband from the U.S. Army and subsequent relocation, she declined.

Margie began her career in the federal government with the South Carolina Military and the Organized Reserve Corps (where she met her husband.) In 1950, she worked with the National Production Authority.

She was a professional model in Panama and Baltimore. In Columbia she modeled with Millie Lewis at the new J. B. Whites. She was a finishing school instructor at Palmer College and Foster School of Dance and conducted private classes in her home; judged beauty contests and presented talks on modeling and social skills. She had a successful teaching career, but retired to return to federal government employment in 1964, as secretary to multiple deputy commanding generals at Ft. Jackson during a fourteen-year period.

As a supportive wife of a career military officer. Margie was active in the Officer’s Wives Club in Panama and Baltimore having served as corresponding secretary and membership chairman, planned modeling events (modeling in each), afternoon teas and luncheons. She was a volunteer for the Washington Street Soup Kitchen for years; she was a member of the ELCA; and served her church, Incarnation Lutheran, with love and dedication since becoming a member in 1961.

Margie met Colonel Toth in 1946 and they were married in 1947 on the Bride and Groom radio program in Hollywood, California. They were also featured in the B&G Magazine as the happiest couple of the month.

She was the mother of four children and loved being an Army wife, enjoyed meeting the many different people, the frequent traveling, entertaining and the numerous places she and Louis lived. Without question, being a warm weather girl, living in Panama three years and visiting Australia were the highlights of her life. A Panama cruise with her children and seeing the places in which she had lived were others.

Margie’s hobbies included gardening, painting, needlework and foremost walking the beach with family, her dear grandchildren and her constant canine companion, Bubba.

She is survived by children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren: Louis L, Jr and Renae Toth, Gage and Jason Luke Toth, Brandon and Lavinia Toth, Colin and Matthew Toth, Cathy and Kin Sturkie, Cass and Jacob Bernstien, Aerin and Isla Bernstien, Shannon and Chris, Carter and Jackson Bennet, Pat Hanly, Cullen and Keaton Hanly, Allison Toth, Toth and Mella Rose Martin and dear cousins, Gwen Smythe and Mary Kay Hennecy and other cousins, nieces and nephews.

Memorials if desired, may be made to PXE Internatiopnal.org; Incarnation Lutheran Church, Devine Street; or to the charity of one’s choice.

Memories may be shared at www.dunbarfunerals.com.