Bethany, MO: Margaret Marie (Smith) Broyles, better known as Maggie to most all she knew, passed peacefully on November 30, 2022, at the home of her daughter Jackie.
Margaret was born in Putnam County near Powersville, Mo., on September 30, 1932. At a young age her family moved to Mercer County near Princeton, Mo., she had many fond memories of working the farm with her dad and sister Harriett. She graduated from Princeton High School in 1950 and then took a secretarial job/Floor Manager with Hallmark in Kansas City, Mo. She and Roy Broyles of Halfrock, Mo. eloped in September of 1953. Roy enlisted in the Army, and they were stationed at Fort Riley Kan., and then onto Fort Leonardwood, Mo. After Roy was discharged, they tried their hand at farming, moving then to Princeton for work and eventually moved to Bethany where Roy took a position at the then First National Bank. Maggie was a housewife until the death of Roy in October of 1972. She then took a job at the Bethany grade school as a teacherâs aide and then in 1976 was hired as the Director of the Bethany Housing Authority (HUD) where she worked until retiring in 1998.
Maggie was a den mother for the boy scouts, a troop leader for the girl scouts, a Mother Advisor for the Rainbow Girls of the Bethany Masonic Lodge and countless times served as a room mother and on prom committees for all of her children. She was a member of the Bethany United Methodist Church, the Eastern Stars and Beta Sigma Phi sorority. She enjoyed singing in a womenâs Barbershop Quartet and with a barbershop womenâs chorus the Sweet Adelines, in her younger years.
Maggie was your biggest cheerleader, she stood up for you and beside you and always provided a shoulder to lean on in times of doubt or sorrow. She believed in learning from your own mistakes and in forgiveness and second chances. She raised four kids all on her own and never asked for anyoneâs help. As her doctorâs all told herâŠâ Maggie you are the strongest woman I have ever met!â And indeed, she was a strong and independent woman. She would say, âMy choices in life might not have been those you would have chosen but they were mine to make and I think I did a pretty good job. I did it my way!â We think you did a pretty good job too, mom. We will miss your love and support, your loving embrace and your smiling face.
Maggie was proceeded in death by her parents John and Mary Jane (Stockman) Smith, parent-in-laws J.R. and Eva (Johnston) Broyles, infant brother John Donal, her husband Roy A Broyles, daughter Teri Leigh Beezley, sisters June Ulsurd and Ruth Palmisano and brothers and sisters-in-laws: Merlin Ulsurd, Tony Palmisano, Gerald Goodin, Bob and Blendine Broyles and Jerry & Helen Broyles.
She is survived by her sister Harriett Goodin of Princeton, Mo., her son Doug (Sue) of Chesterfield, Mo., daughters Kim LeMaster of St. Charles Mo. and Jackie (Craig) Lanouette of Webster Groves Mo. Eight grandchildren Patrick and Danny Broyles, Beau, Cole and Elle (Brandon Abbington) LeMaster (Great Granddaughter Carter Leigh Abbington) and Cal, Gage and Ryan Lanouette. A very special niece Sheila (Mel) Merrill of Princeton, Mo., and several adoring nieces and nephews.
There is a memorial graveside service planned for the Spring 2023 to spread Maggieâs ashes, a date is yet to be determined.
âYou wandered down the lane and far away,
Leaving me with a song that will not die,
Love is now the stardust of yesterday,
The music of the years gone by.â