Margie Garner Walton died peacefully Sunday September 14, 2014 from complications of multiple myeloma. She got a kick out of telling folks she was 81 "and a half".

Margie was born in Pinehurst, NC, the youngest child to the late Wiley and Bertha Garner. In high school, she worked on the yearbook committee and dreamed of being a journalist. She graduated valedictorian of her senior class at Pinehurst High School in 1951 then went on to attend WC in Greensboro (now called UNC-G). She transferred as a junior to UNC-Chapel Hill where she met, and eventually married her husband of 54 years, Dr. Russell C. Walton.

She earned her degree in Education in 1955, continued on to receive a teaching certificate, then taught 8th grade English in Fayetteville for 2 years prior to marrying Russ and moving to Raleigh. Once their children were in school, she began working as office manager of her husband's dental practice. In addition to working in the dental office and raising their 4 children on an 80 acre farm, Margie and Russ together co-founded Reedy Creek Properties, LLC, a property management company for which she served as vice-president and manager.

She took great pride in standing by her husband's side, supporting his many endeavors, being the soundboard and facilitator to their varied projects. In Dr. Walton's dental office, she found much joy in friendships with patients. She relished hearing news from family members who stopped in the office to visit. She was a caring aunt to many nieces and nephews, always staying in touch by expressing an interest in their lives.

Margie was a member of the First Baptist Church in Raleigh and enjoyed daily swimming and fitness workouts at Rex Wellness. She was a pillar of strength and never voiced a word of complaint. In her final years, as she battled numerous chronic health conditions, whenever her doctor asked how she was doing, the answer was always a nod of the head and "Fine! Fine! Doing good!"

In addition to her parents, Margie is predeceased by her brother Clyde Garner of San Antonio, Texas, and her husband, Russell C. Walton, Jr. She is survived by her brother and sister, Edward Garner of Aberdeen and Daisy Watson of Pinehurst; her son Charles Walton; daughter Mary Walton DDS; son Lee Walton; daughter Martha Walton and her husband Jan Eason; and granddaughter, Brooke Walton.

A celebration of life will be held at 2:00pm on Sunday September 21, 2014 at Montlawn Funeral Home Chapel. The family will receive friends at the funeral home immediately following the service.

In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made to The Margie Garner Walton Memorial Fund at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Gifts should be mailed to the Office of University Development, PO Box 309, Chapel Hill NC 27514 or you may go online at http://giving.unc.edu/

Arrangements are by Montlawn Funeral Home, 2911 S. Wilmington St. Raleigh, NC.