Margretta graduated from Woodward High School in Cincinnati. Recognized for her great potential, she received a full scholarship to Park College in Missouri. While there, she excelled academically, worked as a student ambassador, and caught the eye of a handsome young man from New Jersey, Laurel Heath.
Margretta and Laurel married in 1973 and soon began building their family. Margretta went on to earn her master’s degree in education and devoted 40 years of service to the Kansas City Public School District. Throughout her career, she served in many roles, including as a special education teacher, curriculum writer, and school administrator. Her work reflected what came naturally to her—a genuine love for children and a desire to help them succeed. That love extended far beyond the classroom. Margretta cared deeply for her own children while also opening her heart and home to foster children who needed love, stability, and guidance.
Faith was at the center of Margretta’s life. She attended Christ Temple Pentecostal Church, where she was nurtured in her faith and grew into a devoted woman of God. Her faith did not stop with her; she faithfully led her family to Christ and established a spiritual foundation that continues through generations. Margretta served passionately in Children’s Ministry and through the Pentecostal Assemblies of the World. She later continued her service through ministries at Lenexa Christian Center, touching countless lives and helping to pave the way for her grandchildren to develop their own relationships with Christ.
Margretta never sat down. She was always doing something for somebody. She gave selflessly to her family, her friends, her church, and anyone she encountered who was in need. Margretta’s life was a testimony of faith, love, service, sacrifice, and devotion. She did not simply speak about her faith—she lived it. Her family will deeply miss her voice, her presence, her giving heart, and the way she made certain everyone was cared for. Margretta fought a good fight. She finished her course. She kept the faith. Her work is complete. Her legacy is secure. Her love remains. Her faith lives on through generations.
Margretta was preceded in death by her parents, Helen Butler and Johnny Bounds; and her sisters, Deborah Davis and Hattie Harris.
She leaves to cherish her memory her devoted husband, Laurel Heath Sr.; her five children, Marquita Johnson, Robert Heath, Laurel Heath Jr., Antwan Heath, and Aisha Morrison (Steve); and her beloved grandchildren, Melissa and Ray Johnson, Jadon and Jaelyn Heath, Shantaja, Sharel, Laurence, Santario, Tori Hayes, Laurel Heath III (Shanequa), Izabella, Renai, Milon Heath, and Amaya Morrison. She is also survived by her siblings, Renay Chambers, Kim Butler, Vickie Carter, Lamont Butler (Angie), and Baron Butler.
Margretta’s beautiful legacy will also live on through a host of great-grandchildren, nieces and nephews, extended family, church family, former students and colleagues, and the countless others whose lives were made better because she was a part of them.
Visitation will be held at Mt. Moriah, Newcomer & Freeman Funeral Home, 10507 Holmes Road, Kansas City, MO 64131, US, on September 5, 2026, from 10:30 am to 12:00 pm, followed by the Funeral Service at the same location from 12:00 pm to 1:00 pm.
A Committal Service will follow at Mount Moriah Cemetery, from 1:00 pm to 2:00 pm, with a Repass to conclude services at Mt. Moriah, Newcomer & Freeman Funeral Home, from 2:00 pm to 5:00 pm.
