Margie Beatrice (Ray) Hall was born September 7th, 1930, to the late Elder FL Ray and Estelle (Dickens) Ray, the first of nine children, near Gallatin, Tennessee. She went to her long home on March 23, 2025 at the age of 94. Funeral Services will be held Saturday, March 29, 2025 at 10:00 a.m. The family will be receiving friends on Friday from 4-7p.m. and again on Saturday from 8:00 a.m. until service time at 10.

Margie was saved in the fall of 1946 at the age of 16 during the revival at Union Hill Missionary Baptist Church where her father was pastor. She united with Union Hill Missionary Baptist Church and her father, as pastor, had the privilege of baptizing her. Later, Margie became a charter member of Longview Missionary Baptist Church where she remained a faithful and active member as long as her health permitted.

Margie was a great organizer and ever willing worker, doing whatever needed to be done for her church. She taught Sunday School at Longview for over 50 years, starting with the youngest class and gradually teaching every age until she taught the Adult Women's Class, started a Ladies Bible study, and also served as coordinator for their Vacation Bible School for many years. Margie was very humble and never sought attention, she never refused when her church asked her to do something. She was known for her love of the Lord, her gentle, humble manner, her vast scriptural knowledge, her limitless love for all who crossed her path, and her generosity. She was a true church mother, and a 2nd mother to many. For many decades she made it a practice not only to start each day with a daily devotion, but to read through the Bible each year, continuing to "read her chapters" even after she was no longer able to remember what she read. "It's just good to read your Bible every day." she would say.

Margie was a skilled and talented seamstress and made custom draperies for a local interior decorator during her career. She not only single handedly crafted them but also hung them for the clients, often having to climb tall ladders to hang the enormous draperies. She was sought out by many to do alterations and repairs as well. Margie loved sewing, and she enjoyed helping friends with their projects.

One of Margie's first jobs was at the shoe factory that was on Maple Street in Gallatin. Unbeknownst to her, she was being observed each day as she left by a man watching from an upstairs window. That man found a way to make acquaintance with her and they learned they shared the same faith. He then asked her if she would like to visit a revival at a sister church with some mutual friends. She agreed and he picked her up first. After driving for a while, thinking they must be close to the church, she asked when he was picking up the friends. He told her they had backed out. She was not too sure that was the truth, but they were almost there, so she didn't make him turn around. Her father told her she didn't need to go riding with that man because he drove too fast. Eventually, he won them both over and she married Raymond Ray Hall on April 14, 1950. He may or may not have been a bit deceitful on that first date, but he grew to be a strong, godly man and became a faithful deacon at Longview Missionary Baptist Church. They set a great example of what marriage should be, each thinking of the other first until they were parted on earth. They had two children, Ronnie Ray and Franda Darlene, both of whom deeply loved and respected their mother, and on whom she doted, doing anything they asked as long as she was able. Margie not only inspired adoration in her own husband and children, but also in most who were graced by her boundless and selfless love. She gave birth to two, but mothered many, many more, being a living example of the love of Christ.

Margie is preceded in death by her parents, Elder F. L. Ray and Estelle Dickens Ray; her sisters, Aidean (Bobby) Brooks, Jean (Barney) Overton; her brothers, Butch (Wanda, surviving) Ray; and son, Ronnie Ray Hall. She is survived by her cherished and devoted daughter and son-in-law, Darlene and Mike Patterson; her beloved grandson, Brent Patterson; sisters Pat (Smitty) Schmidt, Delois (David, deceased) Powell, Tawanda Sanders, and brothers Wayne (Kathy) Ray, Randy (Jan) Ray. Margie is also survived by a host of nieces, nephews, great-nieces and nephews, and a vast number of friends who loved her like family.

Margie also leaves us a wonderful example of a godly woman, excellent church member, and faithful child and servant of the most-high God. Essentially a shy person, she learned to overcome her own discomfort to teach and lead as the Lord led her. She never felt herself worthy of praise, but esteemed others better than herself. If it had to be done, she just figuratively rolled up her sleeves and did it, no matter how menial the task. We would all do well to follow her faithful example. Margie's departure leaves this world a poorer place. She leaves a gapping hole in her family, her church, among many friends, and even in the facility that was her home the last two years (Park Place Retirement Community, Hendersonville, TN). Our loss, however, is her gain as she is now enjoying the glories of heaven and the presence of her Savior as evidenced by her testimony and her life. She knew it took more than being a good person to enter the portals of heaven, and her life reflected her gratitude for the new birth granted her when she was just a child. If she could speak back to us now, she would tell us to be sure to know her Savior in the free pardon of sin so we can come join her.

Sellars Family Heritage at Gallatin, 100 E. Albert Gallatin Avenue, Gallatin, TN 37066. 615-452-7115. Obituary line 615-452-5900. E-mail: familyheritagefh@gmail.com. Website: familyheritagefh.com