Margaret Anna Raunig Mcconkey

Consistency. That may be the greatest legacy of Margaret McConkey (most just called her Marge or Margie), who returned home to her God the Father on Tuesday, July 7, 2015. Consider that she had six children, 11 grandchildren and 10 great grandchildren (with another on the way) and extended family and relations. Yet, she never forgot a birthday and always made those occasions and every holiday special. Put simply, she showed up — to football games, basketball games, track meets, softball games, band concerts, to watch the girls cheer, at dance recitals, tennis matches, soccer games, piano recitals and graduations. She was patient with and fiercely proud of her children and grandchildren. Never did her family members or friends wonder if they were loved. It was evident by all she did. Born in Great Falls, Montana, she spent her youngest years on a farm in Stevens, Montana before moving back to Great Falls and eventually relocating to Knoxville, Tennessee. She wasn’t a teacher by profession, but she was incredibly smart and everyone who knew Margie learned from her during her 84 years. Utilitarian things such as zipping pants before tossing them in the laundry to reduce wear and tear or how to sew like a seasoned seamstress. Also mouthwatering secrets to making amazing banana pudding, “humdingers,” homemade ice cream, and “mommy-made-marmalade.” And don’t forget the moistest turkey and cornbread dressing ever to land on a Thanksgiving table, where she always welcomed whatever friend her children or grandchildren brought home. Most importantly, life lessons learned simply by observing her strength of character, integrity and commitment to her faith. Besides raising her children, Margie was a fixture at Powell High School where she was a substitute teacher throughout the early 1970s. She then worked at Carborundum, which is now Alstom Power, advancing from administrative assistant to associate engineer in her 28 years there. Upon retirement in 2003, Margie volunteered for the Ladies of Charity, was a voracious reader, knitted countless baby blankets and regularly attended weekly Bible study at the Holy Ghost Catholic Church, where she was a life-long member. She is survived by her children and their spouses: Cathy and Jim Morrison, Bob McConkey and Susan Hubbard, Mike and Gail McConkey, Doug and Brenda McConkey, Nancy and Ed Nolen, and Cindy and Gary Cox, and her grandchildren and great grandchildren, all of whose photos lined her mantle, book shelves and walls as well as the pocket in her purse for ease of sharing with her co-workers and friends. She also is survived by one brother and sister-in-law, Robert and Audrey in Maryland, and her sister-in-law, Pat in Great Falls. She is predeceased by her mother Dorothea, father Arthur, sister Barbara and brother Art as well as her former husband, Robert McConkey. The family will receive friends on Sunday, July 12 from 3:00 to 4:30 p.m. at Mynatt Funeral Home, 4131 E. Emory Road with a rosary service following at 7:30 p.m. at the Holy Ghost Church, 1041 North Central Avenue. The Rev. Dr. John Arthur Orr will preside over the graveside service on Monday at 9 a.m. at Woodhaven Memorial Gardens, 160 Edgemoor Road in Powell. In lieu of flowers, donations may be sent to the Family Medical Assistance Fund to assist Margie’s two children in their ongoing battles with cancer and Parkinson’s disease at Family Medical Assistance Fund, P.O. Box 70233, Knoxville, TN 37938. Contributions also may be sent to Ladies of Charity, 120 Baxter Avenue, Knoxville, TN 37917 or online at ladiesofcharityknox.org. "You will go out in joy and be led forth in peace; the mountains and hills will burst into song before you, and all the trees of the field will clap their hands." (Isaiah 55:12)