Margaret Ray Duke Medsker, 89, passed away on Tuesday, March 10, 2015, at her residence, while under Heartland Hospice Care of Charleston.
Margaret was born October 5, 1925, in Jackson County, the daughter of the late William G and Ruby Wilks Ray. She married Marshall N. (Buck) Duke on March 1943, moved to Athens in 1966, and taught ‘Teenage Sewing’ at Singer Company until 1970. She worked as a sales lady at Belks in Georgia Square Mall until diagnosed with cancer in 1978. She won the cancer battle and retired in 1980.
Square dancing began in 1960 to travel and meet people. That ended when Buck died in 1985 from Pancreas cancer.
In 1986 Margaret traveled to Charleston, S.C. for a square dance event. She met and a year later married Jerry Medsker on October 4, 1987. Originally from Boise, Idaho, Jerry has been living in Charleston since 1966, retired in 1991 after 34 years service with Westinghouse Electric Company. For the next 19 years, they became avid square dancers and campers attending all the National Square Dance Conventions and Good Sam Jamborees that they could. These travels allowed them to stay overnight in 49 of the 50 United States and in 9 of the Canadian Provinces; enjoying the sights and sounds each location had to offer. Health issues stopped their travels in 2010.
Survivors include a son Don M. Duke; sister, Lottie Wilson; stepdaughter, Lou Duke; and granddaughter, Teresa Loggins; and husband, Jerry Medsker.
The family will receive friends from 6 to 8 p.m. on Monday March 16, at Evans Funeral Home in Jefferson. The burial will follow in the Woodbine Cemetery in Jefferson on Tuesday, March 17, at 11 a.m. Graveside services will be officiated by the Rev. Johnny Ray.
Evans Funeral Home, Jefferson, is in charge of arrangements.
Online Condolences at www.evansfuneralhomeinc.com