Margaret Stacks

BLUEFIELD-- Margaret Stacks, 96, of Loving Hands Adult Care, Airport Rd., Bluefield, WV, former resident of Bluefield, VA and Welch for 82 years passed away Saturday, November 26, 2016 at Loving Hands Adult Care in Bluefield, WV. Margaret was born May 30, 1920 in Hartwell, Georgia to the late Sam J. and Emily Lowrance Stacks. She was a member of the First Baptist Church in Welch, WV. She graduated from Welch High School in 1938 and from West Virginia University in 1942 with a B.A. in English. Having taught English at Gary High School from 1942 to 1978 and then at Mount View High School, she retired in 1982. After being a charter member and past president of Phi Chapter of Delta Kappa Gamma Society, lntl., Margaret earned the distinction of being awarded the fifty year pin. Other roles she had filled include: literacy volunteer for the McDowell County Public Library, volunteer for Stevens Clinic Hospital, member and former treasurer of the Women's Club at First Baptist Church, past president of the McDowell County Chapter of the American Association of University Women, past member and treasurer of McDowell County School Employees Association, and member of McDowell County Women’s Club. Known among the student body and her colleagues for her stern but caring approach, Margaret dedicated forty years of her life to preparing her students for whatever path they chose after graduation. She instilled in them not only the importance of writing well and an appreciation of literature but also responsibility and a love of learning. Most importantly, she taught them to believe in themselves. Her former students have remained loyal since their graduation and are living testimony to her legacy. She received frequent visits, phone calls, cards and letters them, all expressing concern, respect and appreciation for the positive impact that she had on their lives. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by one brother, Frank M. Stacks, also from Welch. Survivors include nieces, Nathalie Giampocaro and husband Mallie of Bluefield, VA and Margaret Ann Johnson of Chesapeake, Ohio; great nephew Richard Hatfield of Greensboro, NC, great niece Emily Hatfield of Brockport, NY, great niece Nathalie Johnson of Columbus, OH, great-grandniece Brianna Anderson of Ballard, WV; cousins Dorothy Stacks of Huntington, WV, Jeanne Wright and husband Don of Tucson, AZ, and W.B. Williams and wife Jean of Gastonia, NC. Special friends left to cherish her memory are: Vivian, Lisa, and Emily Blankenship, Tony Mallamaci, Shirley Scott, Shirley Farmer, Patsy and Louis Watson, John Nofsinger, Leah and Merle Cook, Dorothy Cunningham Miller, Phyllis Cates, Bil Goft and many former students. Funeral services will be held on Thursday, December 1, 2016 at 2:00 PM Cravens-Shires Funeral Home in Bluefield (Bluewell), WV with Rev. Fred VanDyke officiating. Burial will follow at Woodlawn Memorial Park in Bluewell, WV. Serving as pallbearers will be: Mallie Giampocaro, Richard Hatfield, John Nofsinger, Tony Mallamaci and Jim Redmond. Friends and relatives may call on Thursday, December 1, 2016 from 1:00-2:00 p.m. at the funeral home. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the McDowell County Public Library, 90 Howard St., Welch, WV 24801. Online condolences will be accepted www.cravens-shires.com Cravens-Shires Funeral Home is serving the Stacks family.