Margaret graduated from Rio Grande High School, Albuquerque, N.M., Class of 1960, where she was
Salutatorian. She was a twirler and was in the National Honor Society.
She was a devoted stay at home mom until all her kids started school. Margaret was a loan officer for 26 years in Big Spring, Tx., having worked at Webb Credit Union, Citizens Credit Union and Cosden Credit Union. In 1997 she started working for the Waxahachie Housing Authority in Waxahachie, Tx. and retired from there in 2020.
In 1996 she met the love of her life, Benny Shaw, they were together until his death in 2014. Margaret and Ben loved country dancing, the Dallas Cowboys (having watched her first game in 1960) and the Texas Rangers. She was known to be very vocal during games.
In addition to her parents she was preceded in death by her brother, Rex Abels and her sister, Genna Hemminger. Also her former husband (father of her children) R. A. Churchwell. She is survived by her daughter, Debbie Phillips and husband Kelleigh of San Angelo, Tx., son Rusty Churchwell and wife Marcie of Wichita Falls, Tx, and daughter Becky LaRue and Duane Jones of San Angelo, TX. Grandchildren, Alyssa Phillips, Aymee (Michael) Petrella, Meagan (Scott) Lewis, Randy (Ashley) Churchwell, Reed (Samantha) Churchwell, Ryder (Becca) Churchwell, Tara (TJ) Green, David (Alli) LaRue, Rese (Elise) LaRue and Josh Churchwell. Great-grandchildren Aubrey, Kaylor, Kyndahl, Kylan, Emily, Kameron, Addison, Jordan, Berkley, Harper, Kolten, Carter, Kensleigh, Kasyn, Raelynn, Dillon, Aiden, Eden and Maddix. And numerous cousins, nieces and nephews.
The pride and joy of her life were her kids and grandkids, her last words were “I have loved you all”.
She was truly the best mom, mawmaw, and grandma.
Family visitation will be Tuesday June 1, 2021 from 6:00 to 8:00 pm at Johnson’s Funeral Home, San Angelo, Tx. Celebration of her life will be Wednesday June 2, 2021 at 10:00 am at Johnson’s Funeral Home. Interment will follow at Lawnhaven Cemetery in San Angelo, TX.
