Margaret Rachel Collinge Aycock

AYCOCK SPARTA - Margaret Rachel Collinge Aycock, age 93, of 1685 Memorial Park Drive, Sparta, died December 9, 2010 at the Alleghany Memorial Hospital in Sparta. She was the daughter of the late William and Ella Klumb Collinge. She was also preceded in death by three brothers, Robert, James and Richard Collinge. Born in La Crosse, Wisconsin, she graduated from Michigan State University with a BA in History and Political Science. She was a member of the Sigma Kappa Sorority. She briefly taught history and dramatics before joining the American Red Cross during World War II where she was named "American Red Cross Girl of the Year." She was assigned to U.S. Army field hospitals in Europe and later to a hospital ship where she met her husband of 63 years, Dr. James B. Aycock. They were married on June 20, 1947 and moved to North Carolina. Margaret was active in volunteer circles and schools in cities where she, Dr. Aycock and her two daughters, Margaret Ann and Barbara lived: Statesville, Lenoir, Winston-Salem, Wilkesboro and Sparta. She was a tour guide at Historic Bethabara Park and Old Salem and was an accomplished artist and woodcarver. She relished swimming, hiking and travel as well as bridge and cribbage and was known for her quick wit. She shared her husband's passion for flying. She is survived by her husband, Dr. James B. Aycock, a resident of Alleghany Care and Rehabilitation Center in Sparta; her daughter, Margaret Ann Aycock of Sparta; her daughter, Barbara Aycock of Mexico City, Mexico; two granddaughters, Miranda and Charlotte Raimondi; one brother, Bill Collinge of Gettysburg, PA; beloved cousin, Albert K. Wickesberg of St. Louis Park, MN; several nieces and nephews also survive. Funeral services will be held at 2:00 p.m., Friday, December 17, at the Sparta United Methodist Church, in Sparta. Burial will follow in the Sparta Cemetery. The body will lie-in-state one hour prior to the service at the church. The family will receive friends from 6:00 until 8:00 p.m., Thursday evening, December 16, at Grandview Memorial Funeral Home. Flowers are appreciated or memorials may be made to the American Red Cross, Wilkes-Alleghany Counties Chapter, 104 S. West Street, Wilkesboro, NC 28697. Grandview Memorial Funeral Home in Sparta is serving the Aycock family.