Margie Leigh Farmer Calhoun

Flora and fauna knew Margie Leigh Farmer Calhoun as the woman with two green thumbs; a natural healer who nursed sick plants as well as people back to health.

Born into a family of 15 children in Rocky Mount, North Carolina, she was required like many to learn the hard lessons of the Great Depression and how to do more with less. With seven brothers and seven sisters, she honed her work ethic and sense of responsibility.

She met the love of her life, Aaron, with the big band playing behind them on the dance floor, trading poor city life to become a farmer's child bride at 16, expanding her skill set that would always swaddle others in love and compassion.

Margie and Aaron grew up together giving each other a son and daughter and a hard and wonderful life. While her green thumbs could nurture, she could also wring a chicken's neck, cook for 20 during the sweltering crop days of summer, butcher a hog, stir 30 gallons of Brunswick stew over a woodfire and can a hundred quarts of beans. The arc of life saw her morph from the farm into a pastor's wife, a medical office manager, dental assistant, cosmetics salesperson, hotel shop merchant, comforter, storyteller and consummate hostess.

She never met strangers, only new friends, whether famous or humble. Known for her colorful fashion sense and horse-trading prowess, she designed clothing and furniture with an artistic eye, remained a homemaker, gardener and eternal optimist taking life one day at a time and gnawing it to the rind. At 96 with nine grandkids and twelve great grandkids, she leaves this realm with a full portfolio.

The family would like to thank the staff of Cambridge Hills of Pittsboro Assisted Living and the staff of Gentiva Hospice out of Sanford for all their diligent and loving care.

Flowers in Margie’s honor should be sent to the staff and residents of Cambridge Hills of Pittsboro Assisted Living.

In lieu of flowers, cash donations in Margie’s honor should be sent to Cambridge Hills of Pittsboro Assisted Living 140 Brookstone Lane Pittsboro, NC 27312 or to Gentiva Hospice of Sanford 1836 Doctors Drive Sanford, NC 27330.

Condolences may be made at www.donaldsonfunerals.com.

Donaldson Funeral Home & Crematory is honored to serve the Calhoun family.