Margaret LaVur Baggett Britton, 83, formerly of Owensboro, Kentucky, died March 22 at her home in Concord, NC. Margaret was a longtime professor of Sociology at Kentucky Wesleyan College.
She was active in the community serving on the boards of various civic and community organizations, including Girls Inc., Oasis Women’s Shelter, Dismas House of Owensboro, Owensboro City Police Advisory Board, RiverValley Behavioral Health, and Owensboro Human Relations Commission.
Margaret was an ardent activist in women’s organizations and was a founding member of Kentucky Women Advocates and Owensboro Womens Coalition. She was an active member of AAUW and served as President of the Owensboro chapter as well as President of the Kentucky state organization, and for many years was a delegate to the AAUW national conventions. She was often recognized for her leadership in various organizations including receiving the Athena Award from Girls, Inc., in 2014.
During her years at Wesleyan, she traveled with students to London and Russia, but most frequently to New York, immersing them in social and cultural experiences.
After retiring, she enjoyed traveling internationally and throughout the US with her husband, was an avid reader, and particularly loved spending time at the beach with her family and friends where she often declared, “There is no bad day at the beach.” The family plans a beachside memorial service in early summer.
She was preceded in death by her mother, Margaret LaVur Scott Baggett and father, John Foster Baggett, Jr. She is survived by her husband of 62 years Joe S.; son Scott Britton of Owensboro; daughter Meg Patchett and her husband Jeff of Kannapolis, NC; her grandchildren, Jessica Patchett and her husband Travis McKinney of Charlotte, NC; Robert Patchett and his wife Jenny of Holly Springs, NC; Lauren Rachel Harkey and her husband Jake of Banner Elk, NC; Joseph Britton and his wife Jescia of Murray, KY; and, great-granddaughter Emily Anne Patchett of Holly Springs, NC. She is also survived by her brother, John Foster Baggett, III and wife Diane of Melbourne, FL, as well as several nieces, nephews, and cousins.
The family expresses appreciation for Hospice of Cabarrus County nurses and aides, particularly Brooke and Bridgett.
Remembrances may include gifts to Girls Incorporated of Owensboro-Daviess County, American Parkinson Disease Association, Martin Methodist College, or Kentucky Wesleyan College.