Margaret Bickel Winfrey

Margaret Ann Bickel Winfrey entered into eternity with her Lord Jesus Christ at the age of 76 on January 29, 2021.

She is survived by her son, Matthew Winfrey; her granddaughter, Keianna Winfrey; her great-grandsons, Robert Scott Dimaio and Grayson Chandler Winfrey; and her "daughter," Tina Klika and family.  Also, Margaret is survived by her sister-in-law, Carol Moss; two nephews, Curtis Moss and Steve Moss; and her niece, Nancy Townsend (Moss); as well as their respective families.  Margaret was preceded in death by her second husband, Leroy "Chris" Christopher, in 2011; and her brother, Earl Moss, in 2004.

It is said that the family can be traced back to when the wagon trains going west would pass through Pace’s Gap (later Saluda). Records to the 1850s great-grandparents are easily available. Her family has lived in North and South Carolina for over four generations. Margaret was born in The District of Columbia (D.C.), moved to North Caroline, then to Miami, Florida.  She graduated in June 1963 from North Miami High School. Margaret's extensive post-secondary schooling includes: 1963-1964 Miami Bible School, Certificate; 1964-1966 Miami Dade Junior College, AA; 1966-1968 Florida Atlantic University (Boca Raton), BA; 1976-1977 Nova University (Ft. Lauderdale), MS; and 1987-1989 Post-Graduate classes, Gifted Education Endorsement.

Margaret's many life accomplishments have left an amazing legacy.  As a teacher in the classroom for 39 years, she changed the lives of hundreds if not thousands of students. Margaret was hired by the Saint Lucie County School system in Fort Pierce, Florida, as an elementary teacher. She taught at Garden City Elementary, and later at Lawnwood Elementary.

Margaret was a respected educator.  She was surrounded by mutual friends in education.  They were among her closest friends and her support system during graduate school and gifted endorsement preparation. Many others were taking classes along with her. Some of these ladies became her Prayer Posse after her stroke and continued to talk to her on the phone to her last days.

Margaret attended Calvary Bible Chapel in Fort Pierce. She surrounded herself with the teenagers who would later be part of her adult support group after her stroke. In addition to her teacher circle, she had adult friends at the chapel. Margaret taught Sunday School, manned the nursery, and worked with a children’s ministry called “Reach Out” every Saturday for a few years. The folks from the chapel have kept up with Margaret through the years, as well as after the move back to Charlotte.

Margaret loved the beach - it did not take very much convincing to get her to the beach on any given day. Margaret loved crafts, in particular scrapbooks, and she had closets full of an assortment of craft ideas and supplies. She collected Precious Moments figurines. Margaret loved puzzles and perpetually had a puzzle in progress. Margaret loved puppies. From Little-Bit to MaMa, she always had a dog. She loved Christmas. Margaret loved people – all kinds of people. She surrounded herself with friends at school, friends at the chapel, friends in the neighborhood, and on return to Charlotte, made a new group of friends at her new home, Willow Grove, in Mathews, NC.

Her greatest accomplishment is her lifelong relationship with Jesus Christ. She has been a Godly, steadfast woman of faith, spiritual mentor and disciple of Christ. She is now free living in her glorified body walking on streets of gold as a grace receiver through Jesus Christ.  She accepted her death with grace and courage because she was assured of a new body in heaven. She never doubted the goodness or promises of God.

Following a private memorial service, Margaret was laid to rest near her mother in Sunset Memory Gardens Cemetery in North Carolina.  Condolences may be offered at 9856 Teller Ct Westminster, CO 80021

There will be a livestream of Margaret's memorial service on February 6, 2021.  You will be able to click the link below the memorial service information once the service has started.