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Margaret Bays Obituary
October 11, 1930 -
November 1, 2025
KINGSPORT - Margaret Ruth Mercer Bays, 95, died peacefully on November 1, 2025, at The Blake of Kingsport. Margaret was born on October 11, 1930, in Toms Creek, Virginia, to William James Sr., and Myrtle Chapman Mercer.
Margaret attended Lincoln Elementary School and John Sevier Junior High and graduated from Kingsport High School (Dobyns-Bennett) in 1948. She continued her education at East Tennessee State College, where she received her Bachelor of Arts Degree in Music Performance in 1950, followed by her Master of Arts Degree in Education in 1963. Margaret started her career as the music teacher for Lynn Garden Elementary School and then transferred to the Kingsport City School's (KCS) Johnson Elementary School. She retired from KCS in 2010 after more than 50 years in education, 40+ of those years with KCS. She taught music to thousands of students at Andrew Johnson Elementary School.
In retirement, she continued to volunteer with music activities at many schools. Widely known in the field of music education, and her dedication to teaching music, appreciation for its art and skill, and application of musical knowledge, she was awarded KCS teacher of the year and inducted into the KCS Hall of Fame in 2016. Margaret continued her music education by participating in many district meetings and workshops. She continued her love for teaching music by introducing "Music with Margaret" while residing at Asbury Place and The Blake at Kingsport, where she taught recorder, autoharp, and ukulele to fellow residents who ultimately celebrated their accomplishments through holiday performances. The family would like to express their appreciation to the staff at Asbury Place and The Blake, whom she affectionately referred to as her "angels."
Margaret was preceded in death by her husband of 51 years, Vernon E. Bays, her parents, her brothers Bill, Jr., Edward, Newton, and Ralph Mercer, and her sister Barbara Jean Mercer Cassity.
She is survived by her daughters, Gwendolyn Joy Bays and Barbara LuAnne, and her son-in-law, Scott Bergendahl, as well as many precious nieces and nephews whom she dearly loved. As well-loved as Margaret was, she always wanted others to know how much she loved them.
Her Celebration of Life Service will be conducted by Pastors Ryan Shelton and Richard Isaacs on Friday, November 7, 2025, at 1:00 p.m., at First Presbyterian Church, 100 W Church Circle, Kingsport, Tennessee 37660.
The family will receive friends after the service.
In lieu of flowers, please consider donations to the music program at your church or the Dobyns-Bennett High School Marching Band.
To share memories and condolences with the family please visit www.oakhillfh.com
The care of Margaret Ruth Mercer Bays and her family has been entrusted to the staff of Oak Hill Funeral & Cremation Services.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for Margaret Bays
Sponsored by Oak Hill Funeral & Cremation Services LLC.
Mary Hatzikazakis
November 7, 2025
Margaret Bays flooded the world with love and kindness. It was such a great blessing to be part of the Andrew Johnson faculty with her. I remember walking in on my first day to find a bouquet of roses on my desk with a thoughtful message from Margaret. I kept the card in my desk for 17 years, and would take it out periodically to read her enthusiastic message: "I hope your teaching career will be as wonderful as mine has been." Thank you, Margaret. Your wish for me came true.You were always an encouraging presence at Johnson School! I will be listening for your voice when I approach the heavenly gates! God shine His countenance upon you !
Cathryn Norrell
November 5, 2025
Keeping your family in my thoughts and prayers. Margaret was a very special lady and I know she'll be missed by all who knew and loved her.
Jimmie Smith
November 5, 2025
Loved her dearly. My son Chip loved her also. So sorry
Leanna Bacon Baldwin
November 5, 2025
Much love to the Bays family!
Margaret was a long-time friend of my mother, Anna Lee Gamble. Mrs. Bays started our relationship by coming to the hospital after I was born to sing to Mama, "Annie had a baby", a song I was told was popular at the time. She was my music teacher at Andrew Johnson Elementary. Margaret was a constant encourager as I grew up and helped me gain my footing after eventually becoming a music teacher.
Margaret will be extremely missed by the hundreds of boys and girls who gained a love for music under her tutelage.
Happy singing, Margaret. You and Mama in choir together again.
Keep a song in your heart!!
Charlotte Smith Safewright
November 4, 2025
My brother, Wally, attended Johnson Elem. the first year it opened and I started two years later. We were so blessed to have dear Margaret as our music teacher. Margaret also taught my son, Andy, and helped him discover a love for music. That love led him on a path to be a great musician and amazing leader and he has always praised Margaret as helping him to strive to reach his full potential. He will be 50 years old at the end of December and is a regional manager for Aramark and has worked with Aramark teams around the world. I was blessed to have taught with Margaret a few years at Washington. My Dad, Waldo Smith, loved Margaret's family and may have taught Margaret typing at D.B. He did say he taught some of her siblings. One of her brothers brought my Mother and me home from the hospital after I was born. I'm not sure of the reason but I'm heard my Dad tell that story many times. Margaret was dearly loved and will be greatly missed. I can see her teaching music in heaven. She was the best of the best! Love, Charlotte Smith Safewright
Jeff Arrington
November 4, 2025
This lady managed to touch hundreds of lives in a positive way. She taught more than music. She taught her students how to have a great attitude and a sunny disposition as well as music.
Steve Weatherford
November 4, 2025
Mrs Bays was by far one of the most influential teachers I ever had. She's why I got into music. She set up my 1st solo at Mayfair UMC when I was only 7 yrs old. She was always smiling and gave me hug everytime we saw each other. She will definitely be missed but WOW what a legacy she left.
Joyce Weldon
November 4, 2025
I know Margaret from MafairUMC. She always hugged me and called me beautiful. Her favorite saying was "This is the day the Lord hath made. Let us rejoice and be glad in it. She is definitely rejoicing. She left a footprint on my heart that is everlasting.
Miranda Milam Davis
November 4, 2025
I am so sorry to hear of the passing of Mrs. Bays. She was a wonderful teacher, friend, and person. I have many wonderful memories of being in her class, from learning Rocky Top, the States of the US song, playing recorders, and lots more. I know my Granddaddy (Tom Milam) treasured his friendship with her for many years. I am sorry to say I will not be able to attend her service. I am sure it will be as beautiful as she was.
Greg
November 3, 2025
One of the best at Johnson when she taught me. She will be missed for years to come.
Rose Bayer
November 3, 2025
Ms Margaret will be missed. She was a delight and to know her was to know you were loved. So many special memories from church, Bible study and driving her around during Covid. Reunited with Vernon again.
My condolences to Gwen, Luanne and her family. We will miss our Ms Margaret.
JT
November 3, 2025
My condolences to the LEGENDARY Mrs. Bays. She will be remembered for generations. Please erect a statue to her in downtown and make her wake available to those out of state that wish to remember her. She taught me over 25 years ago and I´lol never forget her memory and love for music, teaching, and education to young souls. Rest in peace "Margaret" (it´s what she told me to call her at her time
At the Fun Fest Store although I couldn´t bring myself to do it for such a respected Kingsport resident, mentor, and educator.) she deserves ALL of Kingsport and her students of YEARS to remember her. Truly a legend, education force, and most positive person. Memorialize her in Kingsport royalty for the QUEEN she was.
Rebecca Trent
November 3, 2025
Mrs Bays was my music teacher at Andrew Johnson School. She was always so happy and upbeat and always smiling. She was a very kind and sweet woman. My prayers and condolences go out to her family.
Melissa crouch
November 3, 2025
She will be Missed,she was a sweet loving person and I will really miss her,I'm very happy I got to meet and be around Margaret at work the long years I've been there and able to help her out with different things she asked me to do. Prayers for the family
Mitzi Quillin
November 3, 2025
One of my favorite teachers at Johnson, plus both of our kids .
Elaine Watson Hatch (AJS singer 1971-2)
November 3, 2025
Very fond memories of Mrs. Bays. We were the Andrew Johnson Singers, who traveled to nursing homes and other places to perform under her direction. I felt so elegant in the long white dress with red ribbons for Christmas and pastel ribbons for spring. She inspired a love for music that continues today; I'm still singing and will make a contribution to our church choir in her name.
What a legacy she leaves behind. I hope LuAnne can see all the memories floating around facebook.
Phoebe King
November 3, 2025
A wonderful teacher and great friend who will be missed by all who knew her. Deepest sympathy for her family.
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