Margaret Amelia Cornett Atkins Worley

Margaret Amelia Cornett Atkins Worley, of Blacksburg, died peacefully on November 10, 2008 at Skyline Manor in Floyd, VA. She was born in Marion, VA on August 24, 1909, the eldest of eight children. Her parents were Anna Laura Umbargar of Marion, VA and Carl Cox Cornett of Elk Creek, VA.

After graduating from Marion Junior College and Scarlett College in Memphis, Tennessee, she taught school in Laurel Springs and worked several years as a social worker in Southwest Virginia and West Virginia. She was always concerned about fair play and doing the right thing, and participated in a variety of social and political activities.

Margaret and her first husband, Francis Neal Atkins, moved to Blacksburg in 1948 where they raised their two daughters while he taught at Virginia Tech.

She was active in the United Methodist Church of Blacksburg as a Sunday School Superintendent and a teacher; active in her circle and president of the Women’s Circle. As a couple, they ran the youth group for several years. Margaret and two friends started the Kindergarten- Preschool at the church as well as beginning the Trick-or-Treat for U.N.I.C.E.F. program in Blacksburg.

One of her favorite activities was playing the soprano recorder in her recorder group, helping celebrate special holidays at Smithfield and other local places. She loved reading, friends, and did a lot of volunteer work through the community. Margaret and Francis were funding members of Founders Forest which later became Warm Hearth Complex, where she enjoyed living after the death of her second Husband, Charles Worley. During those years, she particularly loved the “Writer’s Worship”, run my Niki Giovani at Showalter. It was the highlight of her week.

Margaret is survived by two daughters and their husbands: Charlotte Atkins and Ernest Bryant of Check, VA; Joyce A. and David W. Jackson of West Hartford, CT; and a step-daughter and husband: Melinda Worley and Charles Brown of Richmond, VA; four grandchildren: Midge Carlson (Wethersfield, CT); Christopher Jackson (Los Angeles); Barbara and husband Kevin Humphrey of Pittsburgh, PA; and Aquaria Brown of Richmond, VA. There are five great-grandchildren: Haley and Paige Carlson of Wethersfield, CT and Mark, Ryan and Aidan Humphrey of Pittsburgh, PA. She has one living sister, Louise Warren of Marion, VA.

There will be a family service at Laurel Springs, VA.

In Lieu of flowers, donations made may be made to: Jacksonville Art Center, 220 Parkway Lane South, Suite 1, Floyd, VA 24091.

Margaret’s calm, loving, peaceful nature gave her a special place in our hearts.