Margaret Susan Botkins

Margaret Susan Botkins, formerly of rural Madison, passed away Saturday, June 4, 2005 at her home at Miller Residential Care Center in Paris where she had been a resident for the past two and one-half years.  

She was born October 7, 1909 in Paris, to the late Harry Dwight Miller Sr. and Clara Rick Miller and moved to Madison at age 17 with her parents.  She married Ralph N. Botkins February 4, 1934 and they made their home southeast of Madison raising crop and livestock.  Following his death April 16, 1963, she remained at the family farm where she continued to maintain her farm and livestock until her move to the Miller Care Center.

She is survived by two daughters, Jane Akers and husband Sam of Holliday and Beverly Wandrey and husband Larry of Madison; three surviving grandchildren, Nelson Akers of St Louis, Sandra Davis and husband Mike of Palmyra, Chris Akers and wife Cindy of Madison.  Two grandsons, Steven Akers of Holliday and Bryan Wandrey of Paris, IL preceded her in death.  

She is also survived by eight great-grandchildren, Jordon Davis and Shelby Davis of Palmyra, Emily Akers Bodine of Columbia, Zane Wandrey, Zachary Wandrey, Heather Wilbur and Brandon Stimp of Paris, IL and Nichole Stimp of Detroit, MI; one sister, Esther Hartgrove of Centralia; and several nieces and nephews.  She was also preceded in death by brothers Paul Miller, Marion Dale Miller, Millard Glenn Miller, Amos Miller, Harry Dwight Miller Jr. and Max Lyle Miller and one sister, Myrtle Miller.

She was an active member of the Mt. Airy Baptist Church of Paris and was the oldest living member of that church, being a member since she was 17 years old.  She was active in the WMU Missionary Group and served as Sunday School Teacher for the youth Classes for many years.  She also served as Recording Secretary for the Madison Senior Citizens group for over 15 years.  She was know to her friends and neighbors by her quiet but warm nature, known as an avid gardener and had a great love for her family, animals and livestock.

Funeral services will be 10 am Tuesday, June 7, at the Mt. Airy Baptist Church, east of Madison, with her nephews, the Rev. David Hartgrove of Centralia and the Rev. Lloyd Miller of Paris officiating.  Burial will be at Sunset Hill Cemetery in Madison.  Visitation will be Monday from 5 to 7 pm at the Million-Taylor Funeral Home in Madison.  The family suggests memorials to Mt. Airy Baptist Church of Paris or the Madison Cemetery Association.



Source: Article from the Moberly Monitor-Index dated 6 Jun 05.  Submitted by Don Duvall.