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She was born May 25, 1943, to the late Douglas Lay Sr. and Sarah Nelson Lay in LaGrange. 

She joined the Smyrna Baptist Church at a very early age and served in many capacities.

Margaret was educated in the Troup County School System.  

She graduated from Ethel W. Kight High School, LaGrange, Georgia.  

After graduation, she attended Savannah State University (Savannah State College), Savannah, Georgia, receiving a BS Degree in Social Studies; Master of Education Degree from the University of West Georgia (West Georgia College), Carrollton, Georgia; Education Specialist in Supervision, Leadership and Administration from Troy State University, Troy, Alabama.

She taught at Troup Junior High School and was an Assistant Principal at West Side Magnet School in LaGrange, Georgia.  

After leaving the junior high school, Margaret was selected to serve as a teacher evaluator/data collector for the West Georgia Regional Educational Service Agency (RESA).  

After retiring from the School System, she became a Pre-K Teacher at Teaching, Loving, Caring Learning Center in LaGrange, Georgia. 

Margaret was initiated into the LaGrange Alumnae Chapter now the Troup-Coweta Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Inc. on March 31, 1995.

Margaret leaves to cherish her memories, a son, Dr. Donald Thomas, Jr. (Imani Thomas), Smyrna, Georgia; a daughter, Dena Thomas-Hall (Chauncy Bradford), LaGrange, Georgia; an array of grandchildren and great-grandchildren; sister, Mary Frances Glenn; and a host of nieces, nephews, relatives and friends.

The Celebration of Life Service will be on Saturday, April 1, 2023, at  11 A.M. at the Smyrna Baptist Church, Mooty Bridge Road.   

Pastor Lonnie Walls will officiate.  

Burial will be in Restlawn Memory Gardens Cemetery.   

Visitation will be on Friday from 5 P.M. until 7 P.M. at the funeral home.

Lakes-Dunson-Robertson Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.