Marjorie Taylor Stair

After a long and very active life, Marjorie Taylor Stair left this world in peace on April 26, 2011. Known affectionately to most as Marge, she was born in Johnson City on September 22, 1920 to Benjamin Harrison Taylor and Minnie Burgner Taylor. They moved to Kingsport in 1921 and Marge lived there happily for the rest of her life.

After graduating from Dobyns Bennett High School, Marge worked at Kingsport Utilities, where she met her husband-to-be, Arthur Wilson Stair. She left work in 1946 to become a homemaker, focusing her attention on raising their two sons, Art and Kent. She later returned to work as secretary at Madison Elementary School and then at Johnson Elementary School, retiring at the age of 73.

While Arthur was alive, they travelled extensively across the country and around the world. When she was not mowing the yard or raking the leaves at her beloved home on Patrick Henry Lake which she continued to do until she was 90, Marge enjoyed her time as a volunteer with Meals on Wheels and the Clothes Closet. Until her death, Marge maintained her love of all sports, coaching 2nd grade girls at Upward Basketball at age 85, and updating a 2011 NCAA Men's Basketball Final Four bracket until she was no longer able to do so.

Marge, a life-long member of the First Baptist Church, was an active member of the Hannah Sunday School Class at the time of her death. She was also a member of the Survivor's Club of Kingsport, The Echoes Club and had been given a lifetime membership in the PTA for her service at Madison Elementary School.

Marge was preceded in death by her parents, husband, sister, Audrey Taylor, brother, Frank Taylor and sister-in-law, Lillian Stair. She is survived by her two sons and their wives: Art II and Carin of Kingsport, and Kent and Jan of Atlanta, GA; two grandsons and their wives: Art III and Lisa Stair of Kingsport; and Taylor and Alden Stair of Charleston, SC; two granddaughters: Ashley Stair Taylor and her husband Dan of Kingsport, and Hannah Stair of Columbia, SC.; three great-grandchildren: Winfield and Jazmine Stair and Travis Taylor; one nephew, Andy Taylor and one niece, Gail Taylor Hale.

Prior to her death, and typical of her pragmatic approach to life, Marge asked that no one spend money on flowers for her funeral, but instead that any memorials go to Meals on Wheels, 1200 E. Center Street, Kingsport, TN 37660; The Clothes Closet, 100 West Church Circle, Kingsport, TN 37660; or the charity of the donor's choice, so that the gifts would continue to live after she was gone.

The funeral service will be held at the First Baptist Church on Friday, April 29th, at 2:00 PM, with Dr. Marvin Cameron officiating. The family will greet friends in the Sanctuary before the service beginning at 12:30 PM. Marge will be buried in Holston View Cemetery, in Weber City, Virginia. Pallbearers include Art Stair, Kent Stair, Art Stair III, Taylor Stair, Dan Taylor and Stephen Harnsberger. Honorary Pallbearers will include Ashley Taylor Stair, Hannah Stair, Jazmine Stair, Winfield Stair, Andy Taylor, Gail Taylor Hale, Travis Taylor and John Huff.

The family would like to express particular appreciation to Asbury Place and to each of the highly qualified and unusually caring staff members in the Magnolia wing who worked so hard and effectively to keep Marge comfortable during the last phase of her life.