Margaret Galbreath

Margaret Jones
Roper Galbreath
Kinston
Margaret Galbreath passed away at Lenoir Memorial Hospital on April 4, 2011 after an extended illness. The oldest of three children of David Edward Jones and Helen Klein Jones, she was born on June 19, 1925 in Norfolk, VA. She spent much of her childhood in Edenton, NC before moving to Greenville, NC. She graduated from JH Rose High School then attended East Carolina Teacher's College (now East Carolina University) in Greenville and later graduated from Greensboro Woman's College (now UNC Greensboro). She also studied at the Columbia University School of Culinary Art. Margaret was a well-known country club manager and caterer. She had her own catering business in Washington, DC and in Kinston, NC. She learned about club management at the Boca Raton Club in Florida, the Chevy Chase Club in Maryland and the Country Club of Virginia in Richmond. She then served as club manager at the Kinston Country Club for 12 years and the Coral Bay Club in Atlantic Beach, NC for 19 years. Margaret also taught one of the first culinary classes at Lenoir Community College in Kinston. In 1995, she published a cookbook, The Best I Ever Tasted, which was a compilation of all her favorite recipes she had collected from family, friends, newspapers and magazines over the years.
She was a long time member of St. Mary's Episcopal Church where she served in many capacities. In the last several years, she was a member of the Queen Street Methodist Church with husband, Tom.
Margaret was a "people" person, an avid bridge player, and a great cook and entertainer. She loved to dance and was known for her repertoire of jokes.
Margaret is survived by her husband, Thomas Arthur Galbreath Jr., with whom she shared happiness and love for 42 years; daughter, Jess Roper McLamb and husband, Gene of Raleigh; daughter, Liza Roper Franklin and husband, Brent Massey of Raleigh; son, Thomas Jardine Roper and wife, Sue of Burgaw; grandchildren, Chris Roper, Britney Roper and Jessica Franklin; brother, David Jones and wife, Dorothy; sister, Helen Jones Best and husband, Nelson; sister-in-law, Amine Galbreath Edwards of Rocky Mount; and several cousins, nieces and nephews.
She was predeceased by her parents and a son, Robert Joseph Roper, Jr., who died from leukemia at the young age of nine.
A Celebration of her Life will be held at Queen Street Methodist Church in Kinston on Thursday, April 7, 2011 at 2:00 p.m. with the conclusion held at Westview Cemetery.
Friends and family are invited to share remembrances of Margaret at the Kinston Country Club at 4:00 p.m. following the service.
In lieu of flowers, a memorial may be made to Queen Street Methodist Church in Kinston, to the Alzheimer's Association, or to a charity of your choice.
Edwards Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.