Margaret Van Mcgee Lard

Margaret Van McGee Lard was born July 12th, 1912. She was born at home in Handley, Texas to parents, Philetus Philantagus and Ethyl McGee. She experienced the joy and sorrows of childhood after her father left home early in her life.
At age three she started singing at church. Her first solo was “Jesus loves me”. She never stopped singing her whole life, playing the piano and singing. She won in 1929, the Young Students Music Award solo competition in Texas and was awarded first place in all music categories in Galveston, Texas.
She graduated from Handley High School in 1930 and took musical theory classes at TCU.
With the depression worsening, Margaret had to take a job. She was employed at the Handley School District and later was the assistant to the High School Principal.
After WWII she met a, “tall, handsome, drink of water”, named Bud. She had just received an invitation to the repertory of the Dallas Symphony and Orchestra Company. Her decision: to marry the love of her life. She and Willis Frederick “Bud” Lard were married in Handley, August of 1946.
They made the cross country journey to start a new life in Grants Pass, Oregon when Bud accepted a job with, “Ma Bell”. Margaret adjusted easily to her new Oregon life with gusto, dressing “to the nines” with high heels to wearing fishing boots and hunting outfits.
They loved fishing and camping; trips to Cave junction, Crescent City and Brookings, Crater Lake and Gold Hill. They stayed active joining the First Baptist Church and the Elks Club, making many lifelong friends along the way.
They longed to raise a family and before long, they had a daughter, Lil and son, Fred.
Margaret got right into the activities at Grants Pass High School, becoming the PTA President, and National PTA Choir Director.
Margaret and Bud committed their time and energy to Masonic organizations. Margaret was enthralled with the Daughters of the Nile and both lead and sang in the chorus until 2005. She was the Supreme Chorus Director in 1991-1992.
Margaret also did volunteer work with the Girl Scouts of America, Josephine General Hospital, Brownell’s, Golden Rule, Byrds Super Market, and Southern Oregon Hospital.
Margaret and Bud eventually built a cabin on the “R 4T”, 40 acres they purchased in nearby Merlin, Oregon.
Margaret was heartbroken at the loss of her beloved husband, Bud, in 1973.
Her favorite role was being “Grammy” to granddaughter, Jennifer. Then along came grandchildren, Rich Hale, Zakary, Levi, Justin and Travis. Margaret kept close ties with her favorite nieces: Maryann and Irene and their children, Suzanne, Marybeth, Brian and Mike; her favorite nephew, Chuck and his boys, Boone and Brett. She attended most all major events of her large family, from graduations to weddings to memorials.
Her great-grandchildren include, Reid Martens, Kevin Jr., Kendra, Kenneth, Christopher Moriarty, and Anastasia Barnett.
In 2003, after her son Freddie fell ill to cancer and passed, she moved to Houston, Texas to be near her daughter and son-in-law, Rich and Lilli Barnett. Never meeting a stranger, she made friends readily. Her Sunday school class at First Baptist Church of Spring Woods was a special blessing in her life . The family is grateful today for the love and extra care they showed our mom.
Last year, Margaret moved to Brookdale Assisted Care in Houston. She still had time and energy to travel to Grants Pass and witness the wedding of her grandson, Zak and Lindsey and fall in love with their son, Malachi.
Her circle of friends was large at Brookdale. Her 103rd birthday celebration was a wonderful day spent with family and friends, where she was showered with accolades. She was awaiting the celebration of her 104th birthday, but God had other plans. On June 29th, 2016, while listening to music by Gershwin, the Lord called her home, in peace and with no pain. “The peace that surpasses all understanding.”
Talk about a wonderful adventurous life. She is now with God and her loved ones who went before, probably rejoicing and definitely singing if I know Mom!
Please join us in The Celebration of Margaret Lard’s Life on Friday, July 8th for the 12:00 p.m. viewing and 1:00 p.m. service at Hull and Hull Chapel, 612 NW A St, Grants Pass, OR 97526. (541) 476-4453. In lieu of flowers, please contribute to Shriners Hospitals for Children.