Margaret Hayes Wiley

Margaret Hayes Wiley passed away peacefully on March 1, 2020, at the age of 88. A lifelong

Nashville native and seventh generation Middle Tennessean, Margaret was born on June 30,

1931, to Ella Smith Hayes and Lysander McGavock Hayes of Brentwood, Tennessee, who

preceded her in death. She is also preceded in death by one sister, Elizabeth “Honey” Hayes

Blair (Frank). She is survived by her husband of 36 years, David Warren Wiley Jr., and three

children, John David McAlister Jr. of Tarpon Springs, Florida, Emily McAlister Frith (Jim), and

Joel Hayes McAlister (Havens), both of Nashville, as well as three step-children, David Warren

Wiley III (Brigitte), Price Hendricks Wiley (Joanna) and Ann Wiley Tavakoli (Anthony), eleven

grandchildren, five great grandchildren, nieces, nephews, and many cousins.

Margaret grew up during the Depression and World War II at Midway, the family farm, now

Brentwood Country Club. She attended Robertson Academy Elementary School, the Ward

Belmont School and Vanderbilt University where she was a member of Kappa Alpha Theta

fraternity. She graduated in 1952, then taught at Carter Lawrence Elementary School before

becoming a full time mother and active community volunteer. A lifelong member of First

Presbyterian Church, she was also a member of the Junior League of Nashville and the

Colonial Dames of America. She co-founded the Stock Exchange, a popular consignment

store. She was also a member of Monteagle Sunday School Assembly, the Belle Meade

Country Club, Linville Golf Club, the Centennial Club, the Hillmeade Garden Club, the

International Study Club, and the Canby Robinson Society. She also provided scholarships to

deserving girls at the Harpeth Hall School for years.

When Margaret and David Wiley married in September of 1984, she began spending her

summer months in Linville, North Carolina where she enjoyed many happy years. She loved

gardening, floral arranging, golf, bridge, travels with her husband and friends, croquet in her

later years, and anything involving the great outdoors. She was also an enthusiastic Vanderbilt

sports fan, and was a fixture at basketball games, cheering on the men and women

Commodores. Margaret smiled and laughed a lot. She loved people and never met a stranger.

She was also a great sport, and never complained, no matter what came her way.

Visitation will be on Thursday, March 5, from 12:30-1:45 p.m. at the Cheek House, First

Presbyterian Church, 4815 Franklin Pike, followed by a 2:00 service in the Stanford Chapel,

and a Celebration of Life at 5:00 p.m. at Belle Meade Country Club.

The family especially wants to thank the staffs from Woodcrest at Blakeford, and Life Care

Center in Banner Elk, North Carolina, for their excellent care during recent months. Donations

can be made to the Harpeth Hall School, the Crossnore School & Children’s Home in North

Carolina, and the Linville Foundation. Arrangements are being handled by Marshall-Donnelly-

Combs Funeral Home.