Margaret Elizabeth Thames

In Loving Memory of 

Margaret Elizabeth Thames, 24 July1924 – 16 April 2026

Margaret Elizabeth Thames was born 24 July 1924 the youngest child of Minnie and Clyde Smith in Florala, Alabama. Margaret had a brother Ferrin, and three sisters, Mildred, Edith and Dorothy. Her father Clyde died while Margaret was still in High School and Big Mama, as everyone called her mother, moved the family to Montgomery. Big Mama lived to be almost 98. Like her mother, Margaret has enjoyed a long life filled with family and her love of God.

Margaret is survived by her five children, James Thames, Katherine Moestue, Terry Thames, Jean Laswell and Melissa Hale, eleven grandchildren, twelve great grandchildren, and one great-great grandchild.

Margaret Elizabeth Smith grew up in Florala, Al attending Covington County High School and because she had extra credits, graduated a year ahead of her class in Jun 1941. Even graduating one year early, she was Valedictorian of her class. After her husband Clyde’s death, Big Mama moved the family to Montgomery and there Margaret attended a business school from June ’41 to Dec ’41. On 31 Jan 1942 she married James Marzette Thames who was in the Air Force. Marzette, as everyone called him, was training as a maintenance technician on B-25 and B-29 aircraft. Initially stationed at Maxwell Field in Montgomery they moved at the Air Force’s pleasure to Missouri, back to Maxwell, then to Patrick AFB in Florida, Kirkland AFB in New Mexico and in late 1955 over the ocean to Molesworth RAF Station in England. During her time at Patrick AFB, Margaret began working as a Civil Servant and continued working on bases throughout Marzette’s tour in the Air Force. After leaving England, they were stationed at Langley AFB, VA for six months for Marzette’s training in the B-29 and then to Hill AFB, UT. Marzette retired in 1960 and the family moved back to Alabama. Through the years they lived in Decatur, Tanner, Brewton, then back to Decatur and finally settled in Huntsville, AL where Margaret worked at Redstone Arsenal for the Army.

Margaret moved up the Civil Service ladder quickly attaining a GS13 rating. While at Redstone Arsenal she was Program Director for the International Division of the Hawk Missile Program and traveled to numerous countries including Egypt, Turkey, South Korea, Japan, Germany, Greece and others in the performance of her duties. Margaret was awarded numerous letters of appreciation for her outstanding work. Margaret retired from Civil Service in Huntsville, AL after 25 years.

Through it all she never forgot about her family or her love for God and Country. Margaret served as president of Twickenham Toastmistress Club in Huntsville from July 1977 to July 1978 providing direction to that organization to the benefit of several charities and attended many City Council Meetings. She was a member of Hillsboro Heights Baptist Church of Huntsville and was deeply involved in their Bible Study program.

After retirement, Margaret and Marzette moved again to southern Alabama eventually living in Gantt where they bought a home. Marzette died in April of 1998. Two years later Margaret married Pete Lowe and she moved to Loango, AL. She was a member of the Loango Southern Baptist Church for many years.

In 2018 she and Pete divorced and she moved to Tucson, AZ to be near three of her children as at 94 years old she was beginning to need more daily care.

Margaret survived serious heart complications, pneumonia, shingles, COVID, a broken hip and several falls but has always come through it all with a positive attitude. She was always humble and giving. Margaret loved her family dearly and was always there for all of them. All her life she was a Christian who lived a life loving and believing in God. The world is a smaller place today without her to share it.

As Margaret is in the presence of the Lord today, she would probably be saying, “Yes Lord, I have always believed you are the Messiah, the son of God, the one who has come into the world from God”, John 11:27

Margaret will now be in Heaven with all her special family. Mom, we love you and thank you for all your loving guidance and your unconditional love. Your loving family

The family would like to especially thank TMC Hospice Peppi’s House for the wonderful care and sincere compassion they gave to Mom during her final days.

Gifts in lieu of flowers can be sent to Peppi’s House at tmchospice.com or Charles Stanley at In Touch Ministries at store.intouch.org.