Margaret J. Absher

Herrin- Margaret June Absher, 87, of Herrin, passed away at 12:45 AM, Monday, May 28, 2012 in Herrin. Margaret was born on June 20, 1924 in Carterville to Victor and Nellie Hale (Harris) Ward. She married Louis Angelo Absher, the love of her life, in Marion on December 7, 1941. Together they shared 71 years of life in a loving marriage. He survives of Herrin. Margaret was a devoted wife and mother. She raised 9 children, worked tirelessly both inside and outside the home, when necessary. She worked from sun up to sundown cooking, cleaning, washing and attending to all of her childrens needs and doing it with love. She was always there to tuck her children in at night and greet them with a hug and a hot breakfast in the morning. During those years, Margaret and Louis could be seen often at the kitchen table figuring out how to make ends meet financially, and they always did. She and Louis could magically make a dollar stretch as far as it could to feed, clothe and house their children. Margaret was a Christian, one who shared her faith with others. Not only did she and Louis take the children to church each Sunday, she taught Sunday school for over 50 years at Energy Baptist Church and then at Hurricane Memorial Baptist Church. In her younger years, Margaret would put Sunday dinner on to cook, dress all of her children for church, and then go to church and teach a Sunday school class. Returning home, she would finish preparing and serve the meal, many times having to add extra food for relatives who dropped in. All of this she did with a smile and an extra bit of patience that could only come from a selfless person who thought of others first. Margaret was an inspiration to others and an amazing woman who was admired and loved. She will be dearly missed by her family. Throughout her life, Margaret worked for various businesses including Modern Laundry, Borens IGA and the Illinois Employment Service. In her spare time she enjoyed reading, baking, working crosswords and spending time with her family. She was a member of Hurricane Memorial Baptist Church in Herrin. Survivors include her husband, Louis, and children Jewell Hoffard and husband Harold of Johnston City, Emmitt Absher of Herrin, Frank Absher and wife Tiney of Ft. Valley, GA, Michael Absher and wife Dorothy of Herrin, Marie Campanella and husband Sam of DeSoto, Paula Oldani and husband Bob of Henderson, KY, Connie Bissey and husband John of Herrin, eighteen grandchildren- Lisa Hoffard, Steven Hoffard, Stephanie Mall, Daron Absher, Tammy Absher, Hugh F. Absher, Nicole Marks, Ronnie Absher, Julie Anderson, Chad Absher, Bradley Absher, Greg Hamilton, Kenny Workman, Jason Workman, Erica Heavener, Matthew Absher Sara Bissey and Justin Bissey. Also surviving are 15 great grandchildren. Margaret was preceded in death by her parents, brother- Bill Hale, sons- Keith Absher and Ron Absher, daughter- Judy Workman and granddaughter Amy Absher. The funeral service will be held at 11:00 AM, Wednesday, May 30, 2012 at Johnson-Hughes Funeral Home in Herrin. Rev. Duane Faulkenberry and Rev. Randy Grace will officiate. Burial will follow at Egyptian Memorial Gardens in Energy. Visitation will be from 9:00 AM until time of service, Wednesday at the funeral home. Memorial donations are suggested to Hurricane Memorial Baptist Church and will be accepted at Johnson-Hughes Funeral Home/ 201 S. 13th St/ Herrin, IL 62948.