Margaret Ellen Stakely

A long-time resident of Ooltewah, TN, Margaret Ellen Dougal was born to William and Gladys Dougal in Great Yarmouth, England in 1937. Margaret was the youngest of five children, following older siblings Gladys, William, Roy, and Derek Dougal, all of whom predeceased her.

It was in this seaside town in Norfolk, England, where she met her future husband, Robert (Bob) Stakely, at The Samson and Hercules dance hall on a blind date. Bob was stationed in Great Yarmouth while serving in the Air Force. After marrying in 1956, they moved to Chattanooga to be near Bob’s family.

In Chattanooga, Margaret and Bob started their family and eventually settled in Ooltewah. Bob and his brother Raymond developed the Mill Run neighborhood, where Margaret and Bob raised their family and lived for over 45 years. In addition to working as bookkeeper for her husband’s company, Margaret worked in real estate before joining the Lyndhurst Foundation as controller. Margaret retired in 2017, after three decades at The Lyndhurst Foundation, which she considered the highlight of her career.

In addition to her husband, Margaret is survived by her three children: Kay Stakely Goodgame (Greg), Jill Heather McCain (David), both of Signal Mountain, Tenn., and Robert C. Stakely II (Nora), of Richmond, Ky. Margaret is also survived by her grandchildren, Fraser Goodgame, Mae Goodgame, Ellie McCain Holmes (Mark), Tess McCain, and Elizabeth Stakely as well as brother-in-law Mitchell Stakely, and sisters-in-law Melgena S. Davis, Darlene Stakely, Joyce G. Stakely, Glenda S. Defriese, Vivian S. McMahan, plus numerous nieces and nephews.

The family wishes to thank dear family and friends for their love and support. Additional blessings of support and gratitude to Patricia Land with AWA Sitters Service, the incredible caring staff of Story Point Memory Care, and Hospice of Chattanooga and especially RN Lisa Simcox and RN Travis Smith.

The family will receive friends from 10:00 am to 12:00 pm on Wednesday, July 17, 2024 in the North Chapel of Chattanooga Funeral Home. A graveside service will follow at 12:30 pm at the Chattanooga National Cemetery, 1200 Bailey Avenue, Chattanooga, TN 37404 with Rev. Derrick Hill officiating.

In lieu of flowers the family asks that memorials be made to Hospice of Chattanooga, https://www.hospiceofchattanooga.org/donations

Arrangements are by the North Chapel of Chattanooga Funeral Home, Crematory, and Florist, 5401 Highway 153, Hixson, TN 37343. Please share your thoughts and memories at www.chattanooganorthchapel.com