Margaret Mary McMurry Griffith came into this world in New Orleans, Louisiana on July 13, 1946, the first of three children to Dr. Edgar and Carolyn McMurry. Not long after her birth, her parents, both Marines during WWII, moved the family to College Station to take advantage of the G.I. Bill. It was not surprising that Margaret, a prolific reader who loved learning, excelled in school.
In her senior year she was elected Class President at A&M Consolidated High School, a job she enjoyed long after graduation as she continued to work with classmates to organize reunions and host social gatherings.
She briefly attended Texas Tech University, later transferring to Sam Houston University. She reluctantly agreed to go on a blind date as a favor to a friend, and at the end of the February evening, he asked her to Senior Ring Dance. They both knew they had fallen in love. Six months later Craig asked for Margaret’s hand in marriage. Dr. McMurry agreed, but made Craig promise that Margaret would finish her degree. They were married on January 20, 1968 and started their 22 year military life together. The promise was fulfilled when they were sent to Leavenworth, Kansas, where Margaret immediately enrolled and completed her undergraduate degree at St. Mary’s University. Following Craig’s military retirement, they returned to College Station, where Margaret received her Masters Degree in Health Education.
Margaret set her sights on the one Health Educator position that existed at Texas A&M, and when the position became available, she got it. “Maggie the Aggie” soon was in great demand with different organizations around campus, but she especially enjoyed providing health education to the university’s athletic teams. Craig and Margaret both retired from Texas A&M in 2008.
Margaret continued to be very active in the College Station community, holding various leadership positions in the Newcomer’s Club, the Evening Garden Club, the Officer’s Wives Club, and two local book clubs. Margaret spent her life involved and active in many pursuits. Over the years, she chaired various clubs, organized different events and worked tirelessly on behalf of others. But perhaps she will most be remembered for her ability to connect with people and to be interested in their story. When she asked someone a question, she listened to the answer; she especially enjoyed visiting with people about their aspirations and dreams, always encouraging others towards possibilities. In short, she loved people.
Margaret was a friend to everyone and will be greatly missed. She was preceded in death by her parents, Edgar and Carolyn McMurry and her sister, Ann McMurry Hardaway. She is survived by her husband Craig, her sister Dorothy, her son Jason, her daughter-in-law Beth, and two granddaughters Tess and Elle. On behalf of Margaret, her family would like to express sincerest thanks to her medical providers and countless friends who have supported her over the past several months following her initial surgery. In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to The American Heart Association in her honor.
Her life will be celebrated at 11am Wednesday, January 2, 2019, at Callaway-Jones Funeral Center, 3001 S College Ave in Bryan, with interment to follow at the College Station City Cemetery. There will be a visitation for friends and family one hour prior to the service.
“To live in the hearts of those we leave behind is not to die.” I don’t know who is the author of this sage comment but It’s message is one of comfort. It isn’t nearly enough comfort, for you are the one left behind. But if all of us keep Margaret’s memory in our hearts, you will not be alone. Bless your hearts. ❤️❤️❤️
My siblings and I attended A&M Consolidated for the first three grades before our parents moved us to the Bryan schools. When I returned to Consolidated in the 10th grade as a shy, insecure and virtual newcomer, Margaret befriended me in a special way. I don’t think she made any special effort, she was just being Margaret. When I’ve told her this story (twice) in recent years, and thanked her for what she did by including me in things, she had no memory of it–again, just because she had done with me what she did with everyone. Wonderful Margaret–how we will miss you!
Our loss is surely Heaven’s gain. Rest In Peace Dear Margaret.
To the family of Margaret
So sorry in your loss
God loves you!
Dear Craig, Jason, Dorothy and all the family of Margaret, my deepest condolences for you during this very sad time of losing Margaret. I loved her like a sister and will miss her so very much. Margaret was a shining star to so many of us. God bless you all. Our consolation during this terrible time of losing Margaret is that we know she is at peace and smiling down on all of us. Love, Cheri Holland Bridges
My dear friend. We will miss you. You were very special and strong lady and it is my pleasure having you as a friend.
Craig, you and your family are in our thoughts and prayers. We are there for you, just call.
Pam and Bob Smits
Margaret was a wonderful friend and a light in the world. She had such commitment and caring for others, leadership skills, and was a woman of many talents and interests. She belonged to many clubs and organizations and contributed time and talent to each of them. I will miss her so much—her smile and laugh, her generous spirit and her presence at the bridge table and garden club. She loved her family so much and was so proud of all of them. My heart goes out to them and I share the ache of their loss. She is in the arms of Christ but her departure from this world was too soon for those of us left behind.
Margaret was my back yard neighbor, growing up, from the time my family moved into our new home in 1953 onward. We were the same age, and had such fun playing together. I especially remember our plans for the annual elementary school pet show. She took the McMurry family cocker, Speckles; I took my mutt, Mittens. We knew we’d be competing against Bill White’s dog, Pixie. We reminisced about these and many other adventures when she opened her home to me for our 50th high school reunion a few years ago. I’m so glad I had that chance to visit with her. Margaret was the heart and soul of the Class of 1964, keeping the rest of us informed about life changes in classmates and helping to organize gatherings. We will all miss her cheerful messages. She even took time to inform us last August that she had bypass surgery coming up the following week. That message ushered in her valiant battle of six months of health setbacks and apparent progress, then more setbacks. She made it home for a few days of sleeping in her own bed before her final round of infection. Every friend marveled at her courage. We’re relieved now to know that she’s at last at peace and, as always, will be making her “dump cake” and hosting our reunion on the other side. My love comes from California to Dorothy, Craig, Jason, and the rest of her family, as well as to her vast network of friends. She will live in our hearts forever.
Margaret was a good friend all through school as we were growing up and even though we hadn’t seen or talked to each other in many years, when I came to our high school class reunion a few years ago, I felt like we had never been separated. She was such a warm, loving, caring person. I will always treasure her memory. Blessings to you all in this time of grief.
My memories of Margaret were as the older sister. When I would spend the night she and I would somehow clean her room! It was like a game for me, but a chore from Carolyn.
May the family be comforted knowing how her sweet smile and thoughtful actions comforted others!
Dorothy, Craig, Jason and family – My heart breaks for you and my thoughts have been with you these last few days. My thoughts and prayers will continue to be with you this week and beyond. I know how hard it is to lose someone you love. Margaret was the sweetest person, and like Dorothy, cheerful and upbeat, even in the face of loss and sadness. I am so glad that I was able to visit with you all this summer, and introduce you to Clarissa and Bodhi. I am grateful that I had that time with her.
I knew Margaret in the Officers’ Wives Club where she always went the extra mile to do whatever was needed, and always with that cute smile she had. She will be missed by our group for her warmth, ideas and willingness to help. My prayer are for comfort and lasting wonderful memories for the family she loved so much.
I always enjoyed visiting with Margaret and playing bridge with her. She was an interesting person who enjoyed life. She will be missed. I am sorry for your loss.
Margaret was a lifelong neighbor, classmate, and friend. She will be truly missed by all of us. God bless you Margaret.
When I think of growing up in CS, which is often these days, I sometimes see Margaret’s beautiful/radiant face. She was the best person.
Donna and I send condolences to the family and all our classmates.
“Bobby” Elkins
We will miss Margaret, especially because of her infectious sense of humor. And if Craig was with her, as a team they would have you “rolling!” That’s why we always gravitated to them in social settings. Thanks Margaret for bringing us joy on many occasions. We and many other friends will help Craig “down” here. You all are in our thoughts and prayers.
Margaret sat next to me in Mr. Streger’s chemistry class where she led our little circle of desks in funny stories & wit. She was born to be the Class President. We will never forget her. Deepest condolences and love from the McGills to Margaret’s family.
Dear Craig and family,
I knew Margaret through A&M reunions with my Aggie husband, Ed. We always had lovely times staying at the home of a “Hostess with the Mostess!” Many warm, fun, times and smiles… plus… GREAT meals. It was my privileged to meet her.
It is with a sad heart that I say goodbye to Margaret. She was an inspiration and encouragement to me. I will miss her very much.
I knew Margaret though bridge and Newcomers. She was an avid reader and we often exchanged titles of good books to read. She always had a smile on her face and you knew she was interested in you and what you had to say. She will be missed!
I loved sitting with Margaret and Craig at Rotary functions. Whenever you interacted with Margaret, you always came away feeling that she knew a lot more about you than you knew about her because she was always so interested in what you were doing and how you were feeling. We will all miss her.
My deepest sympathies to the entire family. Margaret was such a lovely individual and a true asset to all who knew her. She will be greatly missed. God Speed.
Margaret, you will be truly missed. I met ypu when you came to pur facility dor rehav, ypu gave me a buff puff! Lol, and we had some good times and talks. I hooed the best for you when you had went home. Now your at your other HOME where you will be at peace, qnd no more suffering. I will think about you, and will always remember your sweet words and encouragement. Love always, and may you rest in Heaven, Aminah Mimi Collette
A great gal in junior and high school, Margaret “Max” became the heart and soul of our Tiger Class of ’64 through her leadership in arranging our class reunions every five years, plus for a couple of extra years right after 9-11. This brought a lot of joy to so many of us and gave those (most) of us from out of town a chance to catch up on things.
Margaret had a great sense of humor and would burst out laughing when something nicked her funny bone.
Margaret was among the few in our class who attended St Mary’s church (Randy Hall was another – there weren’t many Catholics in in C.S. during the early ’60’s!). One year, my sister Betty and I rode with Margaret and her sister to religion classes, which were sort of dry, and we were glad Margaret was in the car to liven things up.
If Heaven needed another dose of good organization, human sympathy and fun, then our loss is Heaven’s gain. All the more reason now to look forward to class reunions in the cosmos (no hurry though!) , with Margaret at St. Peter’s right hand.
We’ll always love you Margaret. Craig and family, I am deeply sorry for your loss. But in the hearts of many she really does live on.