Margaret Jeanette (Parker) Bridgeman went to be with the Lord peacefully on August 1, 2026, in Maumelle, Arkansas. She was born September 17, 1936, in Walker County, Georgia to Lester Clifford Parker and Florence Cathrine (Houser) Parker.
Left to cherish her memories are her daughter Karen (Bridgeman) Clay and son-in-law Bill Clay; four grandchildren – Katheryn (Clay) McCreary and husband Mark McCreary, Kristin Houser, Kellyn Clay, and John Clay; and six great-grandchildren – Miriam McCreary, Leah McCreary, Evelyn McCreary, Clay McCreary, Pierce Lennon, and Charles Lennon; and several nieces, nephews, and other family members and friends. Among her friends, several members of Piedmont Road Church of Christ in Marietta Georgia figure prominently as caring and devoted friends – true brothers and sisters in Christ.
Margaret loved her hometown of Tryon, Georgia, where she spent her youth among friends and family. She often remarked how blessed she felt to have been raised in Tryon. Determined not to go to work in the cotton mill after graduating from high school, Margaret boarded a bus to Chattanooga TN to seek work as a secretary in one of the large insurance companies based there. She continued her career in the secretarial and bookkeeping fields after relocating to Marietta, Georgia with her husband, Max.
Everyone who knew Margaret knew she loved to travel. Some of her favorite destinations included Hawaii, Greece, Israel, most of the US, and parts of Canada. She was especially fond of coastal New England and going to the beach in Florida – making many trips with her close friends from Piedmont Road Church, who christened themselves “the Beach Bums.” Her friends and family also knew of her love of Elvis – she saw him in person three times. Margaret loved to cook for friends and family in her home, and was famous at church potlucks for her mac-and-cheese, homemade cream cheese bread, home canned green beans, and her specialty – apple butter, made fresh each fall with north Georgia apples.
Margaret lived simply, doing what was right, working, traveling when she could, serving in her church, and helping others in need. She was an avid reader. Her generosity was legendary. Those who knew her will remember not only what she accomplished and the hardships she overcame, but her genuine laugh and joy in life.
Margaret was preceded in death by her parents, her husband Max, and her beloved brothers: Lester Clifford Parker, and M SGT William Randolph Parker (USMC).
A Memorial Service will be held at a later date.
Cremation and online memorial arrangements provided by A Natural State Funeral Service 2620 West Main Street, Jacksonville, Arkansas 72076. 501-982-3400. An online guestbook is available at www.anaturalstatefuneralservice.com