Mrs. Margaret "Harber" Booth's Obituary
Funeral Services for Margaret Alice (Harber) Booth, 77, of Longview, Texas will be 12:00 P.M., Saturday, March 29, 2014 at Rosewood Park Cemetery. The Viewing will commence at 11:00 A.M., Saturday, March 29, 2014 prior to the funeral at Rader Funeral Home. Mrs. Booth passed away on Wednesday, March 26, 2014 in her home with her loving daughter, granddaughter and son-in-law present.
Margaret Booth was born January 19, 1937 in Marshall, Texas to Garland Leon Harber, Sr. and Alice Hart Harber. She graduated from Bird High School, Shreveport, Louisiana in 1955 and moved to Riverside, California to stay with her brother, Reese Harber, who was in the United States Air Force. Upon her arrival two important introductions would forever change her life and begin a new journey full of love and adventure; employment at the base and meeting Reese's good friend, Airman John "Jack" Edward Booth of Olyphant, Pennsylvania, whom she entered into the Sacrament of Marriage on November 19, 1955 at St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church in Riverside, California. Margaret often recalled her first impression of John, remarking he was "perfect" and that opinion never wavered in the 58 years and two months to the day, of their wedded bliss, until his passing January 19, 2014. He would recall her "movie star" beauty with high cheekbones, red hair and spontaneous yearning for living life to the fullest, a constant for his life on earth. Her husband's distinguished service for over 22 years in the Air Force allowed for travel extensively throughout the United States and one overseas assignment in the United Kingdom.
Margaret Booth loved life and lived it to the fullest with many activities and hobbies she shared with her husband. While she bowled in countless leagues over the years, you could often find her by her unique and infectious laugh cheering her husband on; his largest fan and he, her champion. She also loved reading, golfing, swimming, walking, travelling, cooking and caring for her family. As Margaret and John began their family, she stayed home until the youngest entered school before going back to work in the banking field. She was quickly given many promotions; from Teller to Head Teller to Loan Officer. She continued her education in banking and finance and became co-founder and President of Woodbine Mortgage Corporation, one of the first Mortgage Broker companies in Longview. She was so highly regarded in the industry that both FHA and VA often referred new prospects for homes to her while Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac used her files for instruction. She always stood at the cutting edge of the business and would go on to co-own TexType, Inc and commercial property in Longview. Margaret retired in 1999. She and her husband continued travelling and enjoyed visiting with her children, grandchildren and great grandchildren, watching sporting events while vigorously cheering her favorite teams on and playing with the family dog.
Those left to cherish her beloved memory and carry on her inspiration are her three children, John Edward Booth of Karnack, Texas, Deborah Elaine (Booth) Heaberlin of Longview, Texas, and James Paul Booth of Mesquite, Texas; her grandchildren, John Edward Booth (III), Stacey (Booth) Staples, Angela Heaberlin, Ashley (Booth) Willaby, Nicholas Booth, and Bradley Booth and two great grandchildren, Caleb Staples and Austyn Willaby. She is also survived by her eldest brother, Garland Leon "Jr" Harber of Marshall, Texas and numerous cousins.
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