Margaret Hughes Cowart entered the presence of her Lord and Savior on June 17, 2026, at the age of 92. She was born on April 17, 1934, in Cook County, Georgia, to Roger and Esther Elizabeth Hughes. When Margaret was only seven years old, her mother passed away, leaving Margaret and her younger sister, Margie, to be raised by their grandparents, Elijah and Mattie Hughes, in Lowndes County.

Under her grandmother’s loving guidance, Margaret learned to sew, cook, garden, and care for a home—skills she would later use to bless her own family. As a young adult, Margaret worked for Southern Bell. During this season of life, she attended church faithfully, and at the age of eighteen, she accepted Jesus Christ as her Savior. Her faith became the foundation upon which she built the rest of her life.

While working for Southern Bell, Margaret met the love of her life, Donald Cowart. They married on February 9, 1957. Together they built a life filled with love, hard work, and devotion to one another.

After settling in Hahira, Margaret began living what she often considered her greatest calling—to be a loving wife and mother to three children whom she adored and loved unconditionally. She devoted herself wholeheartedly to her family. Her life’s goal was not fame or recognition, but caring for her family with excellence and love. In 1961, she became a member of Hahira First Baptist Church where she served faithfully, along with her husband, Donald, until she could no longer attend due to her declining health. In addition, she worked at Hahira Elementary School, located next door to her home, as a paraprofessional for 25 years before she retired from Lowndes County Schools.

One of her happiest seasons of life began when she became “Nana”. Her grandchildren brought immeasurable happiness to her life, and she treasured every opportunity to spend time with them.

Those who knew Margaret will remember a favorite dish she prepared just for them, her homemade biscuits, her servant’s heart, her quiet strength, her resilience through hardship, and her unwavering devotion to God and family. The values she lived by—faith, hard work, sacrifice, kindness, humility, and love—will continue through the generations she nurtured so faithfully.

Margaret is survived by her children: Gwen (& Ken) Rowland of Cordova, Tennessee; Stanley (& Joy) Cowart of Hahira, Georgia; and Beth (& Jason) Wisenbaker of Valdosta, Georgia; along with her grandchildren Maggie Elizabeth (& Zac) West, Ashton Gabrielle (& Caleb) Jones, Benjamin Donald Cowart ( & Lindsey Herring, fiancée), Shawn (& Leslie) Rowland of Lakeland, Tennessee; and Joy (& Matt) Johnson of Spokane, Washington. She treasured her precious great-grandchildren who always brought a smile to her face when in her presence-even in her last days: Baker West, Briggs West, and Abigail Jones. She was loved by numerous nieces and nephews who remember her for her hospitality, chocolate cake, and kindness.

She was preceded in death by her loving husband, Donald Dan Cowart; her parents, Roger and Esther Hughes; her sisters, Marjorie H. Cobb and Martha Elizabeth Hughes, along with a baby brother.

The family would like to thank her caregivers and Langdale Hospice staff for their love and support.

A funeral service will be held on Saturday, June 20, 2026, at 11 AM at Friendship Primitive Baptist Church in Hahira, Georgia, with Brother Thad Marshall officiating.

The family will receive friends and family at Martin McLane Funeral Home on Friday, June 19, 2026, from 6-8 PM.

In lieu of flowers, those wishing to honor her memory may make a donation to the Dunbar Elementary Reading Fund at Central Church in Collierville, Tennessee; the Children’s Ministry at Central Church of Christ in Valdosta, Georgia; or the Hahira Community Feeding Program at Hahira Community Church in Hahira, Georgia.

Martin McLane Funeral Home