Margaret Irene Fentress

Margaret Irene Fentress passed away on February 28, 2026 after a long battle with Dementia and Cancer at the age of 91 years old. She was born on December 17, 1934 as she was one of six sisters and one brother to John and Ada Powers, which made many memories growing up in Sanford North Carolina.

After high school she worked at the local store downtown and worked as a crossing guard. At the age of 17 she met J.E. McCarter which she married and became a military wife and traveled all over the United States. She was the proud mother of two children, her son Paul and daughter Sandy, which she devoted her life to.

After 20 years of marriage, they divorced at that time she moved to Virginia to be near her sisters. She volunteered for many years at the Gift Shop at Sentara Bayside Hospital. She worked at the Kempsville Meadows Golf Course for many years where she met James Fentress, he stole her heart and they were married and she became a stepmother to 3 wonderful and loving children, Susan Fentress-Bonfil, Judy Fentress-Williford and Jimmy Fentress.

Margaret was a devoted Christian as well as a devoted wife, mother, grandmother, sister, aunt and friend. She was recognized for her gift of laughter and her overwhelming prissiness the need to be perfectly positioned during family photos, she had certain poses in which just had to be perfect. She definitely left her photogenic obsession behind as her legacy. Margaret was preceded in death by Ada & James Powers, Ruth Craver, Helen Harris, Mozelle Thomas, Mildred Womack, Grier Gilliam, Raymond Powers, J.E McCarter, James Fentress, Paul McCarter, and Jamie Castellano.

She is survived by her Daughter Sandy McCarter-Shaw, Grandchildren Bridget McCarter-Ives-Hastings, Stacey Lochbaum, Marc Castellano, Kevin Castellano, Daughter-in-law Sandy Adams, Great Grandchildren Athena Castellano, Taylor Llamado, George Hastings Jr, Cody Hastings, Gage Hastings and one Great-Great Grandchild Koda Hastings, along with many nieces and nephews and special friends. Margaret was deeply loved by many people and will be greatly missed.