Margaret Irene (Avery) Overman

Margaret A. Overman, of Middleburg, FL, and formerly of Whitney, TX, passed away peacefully on August 8, 2021, at the age of 98. She is reunited in Heaven with her loving husband, Marion C. Overman; her daughter and son-in-law, John T. and Iva M. Howard; her son and grandson, John M. Overman and Renald W. Overman; grandson, Nathan L. Overman; and great-grandchildren, Nicholas K. Myers and Katelyn M. Cordia.  Visitation will be at Marshall and Marshall Funeral Directors in Whitney on Sunday evening, August 15, from 6 to 8 p.m. A Celebration of Life will be held on Monday, August 16 at 10 a.m. at Prairie Valley Baptist Church.  Burial will follow at Hillcrest Garden of Memory near Hillsboro.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations and memorials be sent to the Children’s Ministry of Prairie Valley Baptist Church.

She is survived by three brothers and sisters-in-law, Albert and Janice Avery of Oneida, NY, Ray and Marie Avery of Chicopee, MA, and Glenn and Sylvia Avery of Tanner, AL; along with numerous nieces and nephews.

She was also preceded in death by her two sisters and brothers-in-law, Donald and Leda Gourley and Richard and Marilyn Gravelle; as well as two brothers, Herbert and Fay Avery.

She is also survived by her children, Roger Overman and his wife, Janis of Andrews, TX, Arthur Overman and his wife, Ruth of Olympia, WA, Marvin Overman and his wife, Lynda of Ralston, NE, Colleen Willis of Jackson, MO, John’s wife, Janine Overman of Hubbard, TX, Daisie Overman of Miami, FL, Richard Overman and his wife, Ginger of Middleburg, FL, and Herbert Overman and his wife, Diana of Winter Haven, FL; along with seventy grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and great-great-grandchildren.

Margaret was born in Cooks Corners, NY, on January 28, 1923, to Arthur H. and Flossie L. (Barse) Avery.  She graduated from Franklin Academy in Malone, NY, in 1941 then moved to Washington, D.C., to work as a secretary for the Veteran’s Administration. She transferred to New York City where she met the love of her life, Marion. They were married on April 12, 1944. They had nine children and still made room at the dinner table for their children’s friends. While stationed in Heilbronn, Germany, they opened their home to numerous servicemen for support and Bible study. Margaret also loved to travel domestically and abroad with Marion, her friends, and her children.  Helping others was Margaret’s passion. She served in various churches as a children’s Sunday school teacher, children’s sermon presenter, Vacation Bible School leader, and After School Bible study leader.  She was also active in the Cub Scouts and Boy Scouts. She volunteered with various community groups throughout her life. While living in Whitney, TX, these groups included Park Plaza Nursing Home, the Disabled American Veterans Auxiliary, and the Extension Education. She, along with Marion, are charter members of the WWII Museum in New Orleans, LA.

Margaret’s summary of her life is as follows: “God has been great to me all my life since I accepted Him as my Savior as a teenager. I can look back and see times I might have done the wrong thing and God put up a roadblock. God gave me a Christian husband and we served Him together for 59 years and 4 months until He called Marion home in 2003.”  Her parting prayer was: “I want to meet ALL my children and friends in Heaven. I am waiting for you.  Please take Jesus as your personal Savior today, so we can be together forever.”