Margaret Whitehurst Potter

Margaret was born May 8, 1931. She was born to John and Emily Susan Whitehurst. She had 4 brothers and 5 sisters. Although some of her siblings have passed; today, Maxine and Jo are living.

Margaret is predeceased by her parents, Johnny Morris Whitehurst and Emily Susan Whitehurst; daughter-in-law, Vicky Jones Potter; son-in-law, Joel Zimmerly; and brother-in-law, Robert Gregory.

She is survived by her loving husband, Vernon Earl Potter, Sr; sons, Vernon Earl Potter, Jr of Spring Hope, NC and Charles Wesley Potter and wife, Jane Marshburn Potter, of Roseboro, NC; daughters, Margaret Potter Abbott and husband, Ronald Terry Abbott, of Oak Island, NC and Patricia Potter Zimmerly; sisters, Maxine Bates (Rocky) and Josephine Gregory; 9 grandchildren, 15 great grandchildren, and 4 great great grandchildren.

Margaret was a great mother to her children. When the children were in school, she would cook breakfast every morning, and have a delicious snack such as brownies, tea cakes, or homemade cookies or crackers baked fresh and hot for us when we got home from school. She was active as a grade mother planning parties at our school, she was president of the school PTA, she was our Girl Scout troop leader and was the Director of Bible School. She was ready to listen to us tell her about our day at school, our problems, and always helped us turn our problems over to the Lord. She was a stay-at-home mom, who took her job as a mom seriously.

When Daddy left for two weeks each summer for boot camp, Mom loaded us in the car and took us to Nags Head for a week to fish, crab, play in the sand and visit with our cousins and family. We loved time at the beach and enjoyed getting to spend time with our extended family. It was always a great vacation for us as children.

When we children grew up and left home, Margaret volunteered at Wake Medical Hospital. She volunteered so often that she knew many of the staff at the hospital. She loved doing something worthwhile, helping others and reaching out to those in need. She did a variety of volunteer jobs at Wake. She helped pioneer the program where an elderly person who lives alone is monitored by a life button they can press if they fall. She visited many older folks in Wake County, installing the button, and teaching the person how to contact help if needed. When Margaret retired from volunteering, she had volunteered more hours than any other person ever had. For years, the hospital has honored her at their annual volunteer appreciation luncheon. The governor of NC gave Margaret a plaque to thank her for the years of volunteer service she gave.

Margaret loved to garden: For years, she and Ronnie (Her son-in-law) enjoyed a large garden. She would come over every morning at dawn and work for hours in their garden. She and Margaret Faye learned to can vegetables, and they shared vegetables with others. She loved flowers and enjoyed her azaleas, day lilies, and irises in her yard. She was so proud of her home and yard in Colonial Heights and planted annuals each year. At every home we lived, she grew collards.

One of the things Margaret enjoyed in her life is cooking and baking. If a family at the church or one of her friends was sick or had a death, Margaret baked the best chocolate cake you ever tasted. Her biscuits are dearly loved by Vernon and her children, and the grandchildren love her "Mema bread", the homemade bread she baked. She cooked wonderful meals for her family and looked forward to having the family come to share a meal. If you came to visit, she wanted to feed you!

Music always brought joy to Margaret. Vernon and Margaret encouraged all the children to take piano lessons, and to sing in choirs. They were so proud to have Charles sing in the Raleigh Boy's Choir. Margaret would taxi us to our piano and voice lessons, and make sure we had practiced. When the Friends of the College concert series was active in Raleigh, she, Vernon, and the family loved to go hear Her Majesty's Pipes and Drums, and other wonderful programs the series provided. Vernon and Margaret have enjoyed singing in the Capital Church Choir since 1968, when they moved to Raleigh. It made them proud that Patricia is choir director at her church, and Jane was choir director for many years at her church. They love to hear their children sing.

Margaret had enjoyed sewing; she made dresses and aprons for her daughters and granddaughters. She sewed beautiful baby quilts for her grandchildren and many children of friends and family. When she retired from volunteering, her sewing helped fill the need to do something nice for others.

Margaret enjoyed her grandchildren; she had many grandsons, and one dearly loved granddaughter, Felisha. She enjoyed when the grandchildren and great grandchildren come to visit.

A funeral service will be held on Friday, April 18, 2025, at 3:30 PM at The Capital Church, 1308 US 70 W, Garner, NC 27529. The family will receive visitors an hour prior to the start of the service. A private committal service will be held at Raleigh Memorial Park, 7501 Glenwood Ave, Raleigh, NC 27612.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made in Margaret's memory to the Capital Church Food Bank: 1308 US-70, Garner, NC 27524.

Written by Margaret herself:

Born in the depression, my dad worked for the railroad. Later in life, he went into police work. He always said to keep good company and do the best you could do. His mother was a praying fire baptized Christian. She came from a fine old down east family.

I was carried to church and heard the truth early in life. My mother was saved after she married, both my Dad and mother said his mother prayed for my mother to be saved. Dad was saved in his later years.

Vernon's mother was known for praying and gave four sons to preach in our church. The grandchildren preach, sing, and teach in the church today. Mrs. Potter prayed for me every day, as did my mother and Grandmother.

I started back to school when our children went to college. I joined the Volunteers at Wake Medical Center in 1974. When our children were small, I taught Sunday School, worked the PTA, directed Vacation Bible Schools, sponsored Girl Scout and Girl's Auxiliary groups at church. I have always enjoyed being a part of the Ladies Auxiliary at church and in the NC National Guard and have served as President and on the board of both groups through the years. My volunteer work at Wake Medical Center has been a rewarding and large part of my life since getting involved as a volunteer. In 1999, I was given the Governor's award for volunteering. I was fortunate to be able to do quite a bit of traveling while serving the Volunteers on the board. However, None of the beautiful places I have been or things I have enjoyed doing would have been possible had it not been for the Lord.