Margaret Faison Baber

Margaret died November 7, 2023, at Williamsburg Hospice House, Williamsburg. She was born to Roy Hudson Faison and Nellie Hall Faison, December 14, 1926, at home on Faison Street across from her grandfather's, Robert Henry (Jeff) Faison, and uncles' homes in Dendron, Virginia.

When she was a year old, with the closing of the Surry Lumber Company, the family moved to New Bern, NC where she played outdoor games with neighborhood children, learned to swim in the Neuse River, and attended the Riverside Elementary School. At age eleven, she was baptized at the First Baptist Church in New Bern, and since that time she was devoted to her Church and her Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.

At fourteen, the family returned to Virginia. Margaret graduated as Salutatorian in 1943 from Morrison High School, Warwick County, Virginia, where she met her future husband, Hal T. Baber, Jr. High School sweethearts, they celebrated their 75th wedding anniversary August 31, 2021.

Following high school, Margaret was employed by H.T. Easley, C.P.A., receiving on-the-job training in accounting. While Hal attended Virginia Tech following service in the Army Air Corps during World War II, Margaret worked in the Athletic Director's office, for the Dean of Students and the Dean of the University, and in the Agricultural Engineering Department editing and typing the manuscript of a book on Rural Electrification authored by Dr. Unus Fulton Earp.

After Hal's graduation from Virginia Tech, as a NACA and later a NASA aeronautical engineer's wife, Margaret became a full-time mother, homemaker, volunteer and faithful member of the North Riverside Baptist Church, Warwick County, teaching Sunday School, leading Vacation Bible School, and always involved in the mission's ministries of the church.

In 1966 the family moved to Queen's Lake in York County. They joined the Williamsburg Baptist Church where Margaret served as the chairwoman of the Church's 150th year anniversary celebration committee, she also served as a Trustee, member of the Missions Council and dedicated member until her death. She served as a member of the General Board of the Baptist General Association of Virginia from 1962 to 1968. Margaret was the consummate mother, grandmother, great grandmother, and partner to Hal.

Margaret was predeceased by her parents; infant daughter, Lou Ann, and daughter, Carol Baber Foosaner; sister, Ellie Faison Cowan. Survived by her husband, Hal T. Baber, Jr.; son, Richard L. Baber and wife, Joy; grandsons, Kenneth W. Allen, Leighton T. Baber and wife, Christina, granddaughter, Nellie Ann Foosaner; and great grandsons, Khoen and Aedyn Allen, great granddaughter Hanna; sister Patty Faison Henritze.

A memorial service will be held November 12, 2023, at 2:30 PM, at the Williamsburg Baptist Church, 227 Richmond Road, Williamsburg, Virginia, reception to follow. The Interment will be a private ceremony with family.

In lieu of flowers, memorials to the Endowment Fund of the Williamsburg Baptist Church, which was dear to Margaret and the Williamsburg Hospice House which provided wonderful end of life care for her prior to her passing.

Arrangements by W. J. Smith & Son Funeral Home.