Margaret O. Ware

Margaret was born December 5, 1938 in Macon, Mississippi to Fred and Imogene Ogletree. She was a graduate of Mississippi University for Women and began teaching elementary school in Jackson, Mississippi in 1959. On August 7, 1960, she married William (Bill) Thomas Ware, Jr., and they lived in Yazoo City, Mississippi for almost ten years.

After a move to Memphis, Tennessee in April 1970, Margaret was employed with Memphis City Schools for 31 years. She was a teacher and later an administrator before retiring as Principal of Grahamwood Elementary in 2001. She was well-respected for her intelligence, integrity, and quiet strength.

Margaret was an active member of Second Baptist Church for 44 years, where she was a gracious leader, a cherished friend, and a wonderful model of faith. She was involved in her community as a women’s Bible study leader, a member of Kirby Woods Garden Club, and a smocking group seamstress, creating infant burial gowns for donation to Memphis families. Margaret was also a voracious reader who participated in a book club with several close friends.

She was preceded in death by her father, Fred Austin Ogletree, her mother, Imogene Germany Ogletree, and her infant daughter, Kathryn Ann Ware (February 24, 1963).

She is survived by her husband, William (Bill) Thomas Ware, Jr., her brothers Gene Ogletree and Joseph Ogletree, her son, William Thomas (Tom) Ware, III (Karen), her daughter, Julie Ware Dorian, and her granddaughters, Kate Ware (6), Emily Dorian (5), and Sophie Ware (2).

Memorials may be sent to Second Baptist Church in Memphis, Tennessee or to an organization of the donor’s choosing. Services will be held at Second Baptist Church at 4680 Walnut Grove Road in Memphis, Tennessee on Monday June 30, 2014. The family will receive friends beginning at 11:00 a.m. with a funeral service at 1:00 p.m., graveside services will follow at Memphis Funeral Home and Memorial Gardens, 3700 N. Germantown Road.