Marguerite Morris Bussey of Augusta, Georgia, beloved wife of the late Emerson Bussey, Jr., departed this life on Saturday, November 12, 2016 at Kentwood Nursing Facility. She was 98 years of age.
A mass of Christian burial will be held at 11:00 AM on Tuesday, November 15, 2016 at St. Mary on the Hill Catholic Church. Interment to follow at Westover Memorial Park.
Born April 27th 1918 in Augusta, GA to the late Ruby Seigler Morris and the late George J Morris, Marguerite was a lifelong resident of Augusta, attending both Tubman High School and Mount St. Joseph Academy. Following graduation from Mount St. Joseph Academy, Marguerite worked for the United States Government/US Navy. She continued to work for the GOV/Navy in both Elizabeth City NC and Augusta, Georgia until beginning a family in May of 1944.
During the ensuing years, Marguerite was an active member of St. Mary on the Hill Catholic Church, the Deanery of Catholic Women and the Junior Woman League. In an entrepreneurial spirit unusual for the time, Marguerite owned and managed rental properties throughout Augusta, GA and Cincinnati, Ohio. It was during this time that she elected to further her education by attending classes at Augusta College. Her volunteer efforts included teaching first aid and swimming for the American Red Cross & working to establish a teen center on the Hill. Perhaps her most noted volunteer accomplishment was establishing the Aquinas High School Swim Team in 1958.
Following the death of her husband, Emerson, in 1973 Marguerite received her Georgia Real Estate License and launched a successful career in Real Estate with Meybohm Realty. In addition to her work as a real estate agent Marguerite became a world traveler and soon combined her love of travel with her lifelong love of Ballroom dancing by performing and winning coveted awards in venues across the country.
Marguerite is preceded in death by her parents Ruby Seigler and George J Morris, her husband, Emerson Bussey, Jr. and a granddaughter, Kristen Barnes. She is survived by her daughters, Lee B Wilkerson of St. Simons Island, GA and Noel B. Brittingham (JJ) of Augusta; Grandsons Bradley M. Wilkerson (Ginger) of Germantown, TN and Charlie Brittingham of Seattle, WA; Granddaughters Jennifer W. McTier (Charles) of Atlanta, Nicole Bachelor (Tom)of Augusta and Emily Brittingham of Miami, FL.; Great grandchildren Jackson T McTier of Atlanta, Kate Monahan of Augusta, Lila G. Wilkerson and Eden M. Wilkerson both of Germantown TN; step-grandsons, John “Trey” Brittingham (Kelly), and Brian Brittingham from Augusta, GA.
Pallbearers will be Brad Wilkerson, Charlie Brittingham, John Ribock, Trey Brittingham, Brian Brittingham, and Tom Batchelor.
The family wishes to extend heartfelt thanks to the staff of the Kentwood Nursing Facility for the kind, loving, and dignified care provided to their mother.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Kentwood Nursing Facility Activity Fund, 1227 West Wheeler Parkway Augusta, Georgia 30909-1899 or St. Mary on the Hill Catholic Church, 1420 Monte Sano Avenue, Augusta, GA, 30904.
The family will receive friends at the funeral home on Monday evening, November 14, 2016 from 5:00 to 7:00 PM.