MARGARET CASH COGDELL
May 29, 1921-April 15, 2009
Margaret Virginia Cash Cogdell, 87, passed away on Wednesday evening surrounded by her family.
A celebration of her life will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday at First Christian Church with the Rev. Dr. Fred Clarke and the Rev. Dr. Penny Ziemer officiating. Burial will follow at the Evergreen Memorial Cemetery. The family will receive friends from 6 until 8 p.m. Friday at Seymour Funeral Home and other times at 308 Pineland Drive in Goldsboro.
Mrs. Cogdell was born on May 29, 1921, to the late Ollie Bates and Edna Adcock Cash of Wendell. She grew up in Wake County and graduated from Wendell High School. Mrs. Cogdell earned her undergraduate and graduate degrees from East Carolina University. Upon graduation, she moved to Goldsboro and began a lengthy career as an educator in the Goldsboro City and Wayne County school system. She taught 35 years in the classroom and retired as assistant principal of Meadow Lane Elementary School. Mrs. Cogdell was well loved by her students and colleagues and admired for her involvement in new and innovative programs throughout her teaching career. Mrs. Cogdell was a charter member of the Alpha Delta Chapter of the Alpha Delta Kappa International Sorority. She graciously held the office of president for both the local and state chapters.
After her retirement in 1985, Mrs. Cogdell was a dedicated volunteer for 20 years with the United Church Ministries. She also volunteered at Wayne Memorial Hospital. It was not unusual to see her volunteering in a special third-grade classroom at Meadow Lane or doing what she did best, caring for, loving and educating our community's children. Margaret was honored in 1985 with the prestigious Order of the Long Leaf Pine of North Carolina for her work in education. This award is the highest civilian honor that can be granted by the State of North Carolina. Margaret was also the recipient of the Jaycees' prestigious George Steele Dewey Scholarship and the Alpha Delta Kappa Travel Award.
Mrs. Cogdell was an active member of First Christian Church and served in any capacity she was needed. She currently was Elder Emeritus. Her love for God and her church was evident as she ministered to others and walked in the Lord's footsteps daily. Mrs. Cogdell was an avid gardener and traveler as well.
Mrs. Cogdell was preceded in death by her husband, Roy Allison Cogdell, in 1989. She is survived by her son, George Edward Cogdell and wife, Sherrie; and her daughter, Catherine Cogdell Smith and husband, William, all of Goldsboro. Also, she is survived by her three beloved grandchildren, George Edward Cogdell Jr. of Wrightsville Beach, Caroline Elizabeth Cogdell and fiancé, Edward Adams Wheeler III of Richmond, Va., and Benjamin Elmore Cogdell of Raleigh.
She was preceded in death by her sisters, Edna Earl Dean of Wendell and Frances Cash Tyson of Greenville; and her brothers, James Cash of Wendell and Willard Cash of Goldsboro.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to First Christian Church, 1609 E. Ash St., Goldsboro, N.C., 27530, to the Alpha Delta Kappa Sorority Scholarship Fund, or to the Kitty Askins Hospice Center Capital Campaign Fund, 2402 Wayne Memorial Drive, Goldsboro, N.C., 27534.
Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.seymourfuneralhome.com.
(Pd)
Published in Obituaries on April 16, 2009 1:47 PM