Margaret Terry Sledge Haverfield

Margaret was born on the 23rd of July, 1917, to Paul B. and Susan Pittman Terry in Fairfield, Texas and passed away on Sunday, the 2nd of December 2018, in Houston at the age of 101. She graduated from Fairfield High School in 1935, where she was a member of the tennis team and edited the school’s weekly column in the town newspaper, The Fairfield Recorder. Margaret was the last living member of her class.

After graduation, Margaret moved to Houston where she resided for the rest of her life. In 1938 she married Roland E. Sledge of Houston, originally from Monaville near Hempstead, Texas. Margaret was employed by Peden Iron & Steel Company for 13 years as the secretary to the executives of the company until resigning to spend time at home with her young son.

In 1958 she obtained her real estate license, and subsequently her broker’s license, and embarked on a career in residential real estate that spanned over 4 decades. She worked for Jack Pannill Realty in The Village, had her own office for several years and was an associate with Oppermann & Associates for over 17 years, concluding her career at Vonny Cobb Realtors in the mid ‘90s. She thoroughly enjoyed her real estate career and derived much pleasure from assisting her clients in every imaginable way. It was not uncommon for her to have represented them several times as they bought and sold their homes through the years.

Margaret was active for over 25 years in the Women’s Council of Realtors where she held several offices, and also had been a member of the Braes Republican Woman’s Club since 1960. Margaret and her husband Roland had been members of The Petroleum Club and Brae Burn Country Club.

Margaret was a giving and selfless person whose strong faith and indomitable spirit created a perpetual joy for life and the ability to see God’s beauty everyday, even in His seemingly most ordinary creations.

Despite having grown up under difficult circumstances during the Depression and losing her beloved husband Roland in 1970, her extraordinarily positive attitude towards life and how to live it never wavered. She loved her God, her family, her friends and life; knew no strangers and was never without a compliment, kind word or an offer of help to any and all. Margaret took little and gave much, touching many lives in the small everyday ways that are ultimately the most profound, precious and lasting. She was a woman of many exemplary qualities and will be missed by all whose path she crossed, but most by her son, Roland, whose wisdom and advice he relied on and valued, some of which were jokingly referred to between them as “mother’s friendly little suggestions”.

Nearing 90, she insisted on continuing to drive herself around Houston, much to the consternation of her son as well as other motorists. Margaret lived independently at her home, with only day help during the last years of her life, politely telling all that inquired that it was where she wanted to be and planned to stay for the duration, which she did, except for a temporary interruption by Harvey. She was a strong and resilient woman, never complaining about her aliments in her last few years but ignoring them as best she could, being more than happy to exchange them for the blessing of life and the opportunity to marvel another day at God’s creations.

Margaret and her family have been members of St. Mark’s Episcopal Church since 1952. There she was active in The Women of St. Mark’s, serving a term as President, held several offices in the Daughters of the King, taught Sunday school, helped to reactivate the church’s outreach program known as Neighborhood Church, wrote weekly notes to the ill and shut-ins, and attentively visited them in their homes and at the hospital, as well as other pastoral ministries and church activities through the years

In 1956, Margaret and several other women of the church, with $2,000 from the church’s Vestry, established the Bargain Counter, the church’s resale shop that flourished for 15 years generating over $100,000 for the church.

Nearing the end of her ability to drive herself, but always looking for a way to help others, one Sunday after church her son observed her loading her car with the altar flowers that she said she planned to deliver to a number of the congregation’s ill and shut-ins, several of the seniors whom were younger than she. When questioned if she was the appropriate person for the job, she responded, “I enjoy doing it, the flowers are beautiful, and they will brighten their day”.

In May 2013, The Parlor of the newly renovated church was dedicated and blessed in her honor by The Rt. Rev. C. Andrew Doyle, Bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of Texas, to be thereafter known as “Margaret’s Parlor”.

She was preceded in death by husbands Roland E. Sledge and F.B. Haverfield and her brothers and sisters; Paul B. Terry Jr., Annie Ruth Coppinger, Rebecca Louise Robbins, Joy Faye Price, Jack P. Terry and Robert E. Terry.

She is survived by her son, Roland E. Sledge, Jr., his wife Elizabeth and their daughter Lauren, her husband Jordan, and their son Lincoln Edward, who will enter the world this week. Nieces Kathryn Terry Smith and husband Kevin, Beth Amsler Soule, Mildred Amsler Sams, Jill Price Wagner and husband Dennis, Paula Sledge Chalfant, Donna Sue Sledge Canalito and husband Michael, and nephews John A. Amsler and wife Connie, Stephen C. Sledge and wife Gail, Clovis P. Price, Mark D. Terry and first cousin Wayne W. Pittman.

The family would like to acknowledge their appreciation to Jenny Rodriquez, Sulma Pineda, Martha Romero, and their families for their remarkable loving care of Margaret during her last years.

Friends are cordially invited to greet the family during a visitation to be held from half-past one o’clock until four o’clock in the afternoon on Sunday, the 9th of December, in the library and grand foyer of Geo. H. Lewis & Sons, 1010 Bering Drive in Houston.

A memorial service is to be conducted at eleven o’clock in the morning on Monday, the 10th of December, at St. Mark’s Episcopal Church, 3816 Bellaire Boulevard in Houston, where the Rev. Patrick Miller, Rector, is to officiate. Immediately following the service, all are invited to greet the family during a reception in Margaret’s Parlor.

Prior to the memorial service, the family will have gathered for a private interment at Forest Park Westheimer Cemetery in Houston.

In lieu of customary remembrances, memorial contributions may be directed toward St. Mark’s Episcopal Church, 3816 Bellaire Blvd., Houston, TX 77005; or to the charity of one’s choice.