Margaret Allene Sumpter Russell was born April 13, 1931 in Pawhuska, Oklahoma, the eighth of ten children born to Lewis and Sena Sumpter. She passed away at the age of eighty-six on Sunday, January 14, 2018.

Margaret lived in the Washington County, Oklahoma area until she attended college in Oklahoma City. She graduated from Oklahoma City University with a Bachelor of Arts in Elementary Education in 1958 and graduated from the University of Oklahoma with a Master of Education in 1962. As one of ten children who grew up on a farm, it shows the high regard she placed on education by pursuing advanced degrees, including some work toward a Ph.D., at a time when not many women accomplished these educational achievements. She came from a big family, but also a very close family.

She is preceded in death by her parents and eight siblings: Pearl Sumpter Ford, Mearle Sumpter Davis, Earl Sumpter, Dearle Sumpter, Irvin Sumpter, Wanda Sumpter Jack, Clarence Sumpter, and Elmer Sumpter.

She was close with local families the Hawkins's and the Taylor's throughout her childhood. She remained lifelong friends with Mavis Taylor Cederberg, Margaret married Vernie E. Russell on July 21, 1962. She leaves behind Vernie, her husband of fifty-five years, son James Russell, daughter, Shelley Parris, three grandchildren: Cody Parris, Madeline Parris, and Hunter Parris. She is survived by her brother, Carl Sumpter and his wife, Thelma. As far as Margaret was concerned, Carl hung the stars and moon. She could count on all six of her brothers but always had the softest spot for Carl. Margaret always thought of her sisters-in-law as true sisters and is survived by Thelma Sumpter, Juanita Sumpter, Blanche Sumpter, Ellie Sumpter, and Rose Russell. She is also survived by her brother-in-law, Floyd Jack and many nieces and nephews. She leaves behind Ruby Fuller, sister of her heart. Ruby and Margaret shared a close friendship that spanned decades. They supported each other with a special bond of unbroken and true friendship.

The word that most defines Margaret is strength. She is the person everyone called when there was a problem because she would be there and she would figure out how to fix it or get you through it. When there was an illness or death in the family, she was first to give her time, prepare food, or lend support. She had strong faith and strong beliefs. She was unwavering in attending church. Being an early bird, she would get up for early church services on Sundays, for years she would catch a ride with her close friend Marilee Hill, then get home to make a Sunday meal for the rest of the family. (Who did not enjoy the benefits of an early start on Sunday mornings like she did.)

Margaret was a teacher for nearly thirty years. She loved teaching and although she taught both accelerated children and those with disabilities during her career, she preferred the challenges of teaching children with disabilities. She was brilliant at it. She taught children to read when others said those children didn't have the capability to learn. Margaret never took no as an answer when she had her mind set on accomplishing something. She instilled strength and perseverance in James and Shelley as well as the children in her classrooms.

Margaret had a strong bias toward the University of Oklahoma and did not care much for that other school in Oklahoma. Some of James and Shelley's earliest memories are of Margaret watching OU football and basketball games. She was proud for both of her children to attend the University of Oklahoma. She tolerated that her granddaughter moved to Stillwater with plans to attend the other school.

Margaret loved to travel and after retirement made several trips abroad with her dear friend, Loretta Cox, whom she lost many years ago. Margaret also did a lot of traveling with her sisters, Wanda and Mearle. Somewhere along the way, they picked up the name of "Golden Girls" and it stuck. They sometimes headed east to visit Rose in Kentucky and added a fourth Golden Girl. Margaret and Vernie also loved taking trips to Las Vegas with Carl and Thelma. They had so much fun on those trips and enjoyed the time spent with their family. If they or the Golden Girls ever got into any trouble, they never told and stuck to the mantra of leaving what happens in Vegas.

The absolute joy of Margaret's life was becoming a grandmother. She said she got twin grandchildren right off the bat because she had to wait so long to get them. She spoiled Maddie, Hunter, and Cody in every way a grandmother can. She gave them her time and spent countless hours reading to them, enjoyed making them treats, and loved planning holidays for them. Margaret and Ruby had a long-standing Saturday morning date of going to garage sales. They planned their missions worthy of a general going to battle. Once she became a grandmother, Margaret's mission to find toys and baby gear took their garage sale outings to a whole new level. There was absolutely nothing Margaret and Ruby couldn't find in their treasure hunting.

Margaret will be missed and remembered for many things. She was strong, committed to her friends and family, firm in her faith, smart, determined, and resilient. In the last years of Margaret's life, she and Vernie lived with Shelley and their grandchildren in Fort Gibson, Margaret struggled with Alzheimer's disease. The one constant in Margaret's life was that she always knew she was a teacher. She would not always know who she was or who her family was, but she always remembered that she was a teacher. Although her condition presented challenges, she continued her life's work of teaching: she taught her family about caring for others, being responsible, to have patience, and to have infinite kindness. She would ask Vernie who she was and who he was. Every single day without fail, Vernie would reply, "I'm your husband; you're my wife, the joy of my life."

Thank you to all who have come to honor Margaret and for all of the thoughts, prayers and kindness shown during this time. The family sends a special thank you to the wonderful and caring staff of Good Shepherd Hospice. We find peace and comfort in knowing that Margaret has gone to take her place in heaven. As Vernie remarked, she has probably already started organizing everyone up there.

Funeral services are 10:00 A.M., Friday, January 19, 2018 at Moore's Southlawn Chapel. Moore's Southlawn 918-663-2233