Margie Horton McDonald Blakeley's Obituary
Margie Mae Horton Blakeley (Maggie) died October 5, 2015. She was born in Dallas, Texas, May 9, 1926, and was the only child of Myrtle Marie and William Charles Horton
Maggie was a graduate of Longview High School, Kilgore College, and University of Texas, Austin. She received her BBA from the University of Texas, majoring in transportation with minors in management and psychology. She also attended training and educational seminars at Rice University, University of Houston and University of St. Thomas. Her first major honors were that of being listed in Who’s Who Among High School Students in the State of Texas and being selected by the daughters of the Revolution as the outstanding student of the State of Texas. She was a member of the Kilgore College Rangerettes and was a Bluebonnet nominee at UT.
In Houston she devoted twelve years to the Red Cross and Veterans Hospital as a volunteer worker and received numerous citations for outstanding service, one of which was an invitation to the White House. She served on the board of Metabolic Research of the Texas Medical Center. The Houston Post Total Woman Finalist Award was accorded Maggie. Active in the fashion and beauty field, she modeled, coordinated, and commentated style shows. She coordinated massive self-improvement clinics for the Houston Post and was a fashion lecturer for Foley’s of Houston. She presented self improvement seminars for the University of Houston Continuing Education Department for which she received a Certificate of Appreciation from the University.
She served as President of City Council for the 49 chapters of Beta Sigma Phi and was the recipient of the International Award for Achievement. For her many achievements, she was selected as Houston Woman of the Year.
An active member of Rotary, she served as Vice President and President of Houston Women of Rotary, and as a member of charitable organizations, she chaired style shows and charity balls with such dignitaries as the original Astronauts as honored guests and Dr. Denton Cooley and the Heartbeats as entertainers.
As a member of West University Baptist Church, Houston, Texas, she served five years as President of the Prime Time Singers, a senior choir, who presented programs across Texas, Louisiana and Arkansas. She also worked with the Senior Minister, Ronny Barner, presenting senior adult trips, luncheons, dinners and programs.
Maggie was Executive Vice President, Corporate Secretary and a Director-Owner of Contemporary Programs, Inc., coordinating and lecturing for professional seminars, career women groups, colleges and conventions throughout the United States, Mexico, and Canada. She was a co-author and Senior Editor of the Prentice Hall, Inc. textbook WOMAN’S CONTEMPORARY IMAGE. She worked as Houston Public Relations Associate with Cotton, Inc. and as Houston area representative for the merchandise group of New York and Switzerland, representing National and International Corporations such as Milliken, Dupont, Lane Furniture Revlon, Toyota.
In her work and travels, she had the privilege to meet six U.S. Presidents, the Prince of Wales, many of the Astronauts and the Premier of China. She also had the opportunity to work with many of the stars of movies and Broadway.
Maggie was a past member of the Texas Society of Association Executives, American Society of Association Executives, Downtown Houston Association, Altrusa International, The Cancer League of Houston, Junior League of Houston, Houston Museum of Fine Arts, Houston Baptist Guild, Houston Historical Society and Museum of Natural Science, where she was also a docent. Her love of travel took her around the world three times and to over 200 countries on seven continents.
In 2002, she married classmate, James Mason Blakeley, Jr. They made their home in Longview where they were members of Pinecrest Country Club and Summit Club. Maggie was also a member of High Hopes Garden Club and Heritage Bible Study Club. Both Jimmy and Maggie were active with their classmates, and Co-chaired the 60th Reunion of the 1943-1944 graduating classes of Longview High School.
Services for Mrs. Blakeley will be held at First Christian Church of Longview at 1pm with Rev. David Farmer officiating. Interment will be at Grace Hill Cemetery. Visitation will be held the hour prior to the service at the church. Memorials may be made to the McDonald-Blakeley endowment Fund at either Good Shepherd Health Service or Kilgore College or the Charity of your choice.
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