Mrs. Margaret Lee (Bays) Tidwell

OBITUARY

Margaret Bays Tidwell, daughter of Elbert Bays and Posie Ford Bays, was born on December 30, 1916, in Eupora, Mississippi.  She was one of six children, four girls, Jessie, Minnie, and Margaret’s fraternal twin sister, Marjorie, and two boys, Lincoln and Otho.  At age seven, Margaret began taking piano lessons from Bessie Maude Miller.  Although Margaret was required to attend Webster County Training School, she was allowed to take her piano lessons at Eupora High School.  Margaret’s mother, recognizing that her daughter was musically inclined, purchased a used upright piano in Louisville so she could practice at home.

During the 1920’s and 1930’s, Webster County Training School only held classes for six months each year.  In addition, the school comprised only grades 1 through 10.  Students had to go to other towns to complete grades 11 and 12.  After finishing the 10th grade, Margaret completed her high school education at Rust College in Holly Springs, Mississippi.  She married S.T. Draine in 1935 and they had a daughter, Therolyn Draine.

Beginning in 1937 and through the 1940’and 1950’s, Margaret taught in many schools throughout Mississippi.  During this time, African American teachers were allowed to teach in their hometowns or other locations and attend college on weekends and during the summer to work towards a degree.  The schools at which she taught were Embry School in Webster County; Rock Hill in Oktibbeha County; Weir and Ackerman in Choctaw County; Webster County Training High School in Eupora; Montgomery County High School in Kilmichael; Summerfield Agricultural High School in Carroll County; Booker T. Washington High School in Philadelphia-Neshoba County; Louisville and Noxapater in Winston County; and Ruleville High School in Sunflower County.

In 1957, Margaret earned a bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education with a minor in Music Education from Rust College. While at Rust College, Margaret, an accomplished pianist, was a music director for the Rust College Touring Singers.  She carried one of Rust College’s male quartets on singing tours in the fall throughout Iowa, South Dakota and Minnesota.

After college, and after teaching in Eupora and Kilmichael, Margaret married George Tidwell and moved to Grenada, Mississippi in 1961.  She began her employment with the Grenada School District and taught second grade Language Arts at Tie Plant School.  After school, she would conduct piano lessons in her home.  Each spring, she would present her students in a piano recital at various churches in Grenada.  The recitals were mostly held at Vincent United Methodist Church where Margaret was a member, pianist and organist for over 30 years.

During her residence in Grenada, Margaret became active in community affairs.  She participated in the Civil Rights Movement by cooking meals for attorneys who traveled south to provide legal services, and by paying bail money for marching teenagers that were arrested.  She also helped to integrate the Monte Cristo Restaurant.

On May 25, 1982, after 40 years of dedicated and exemplary service in educating the children of this state, Margaret retired from teaching in Grenada.  However, she continued to play the piano for churches in Grenada, Gore Springs and Coffeeville. In 2000, Margaret returned to her birthplace in Eupora.  Until 2014, she continued to share her musical talent by playing the piano and organ during worship service as a member of Liberty United Methodist Church.

On December 30, 2016, Margaret celebrated her 100th birthday.  The centenarian attributed her longevity to her faith in God, and the love, adoration and support of her family and friends.  Margaret Bays Tidwell passed away peacefully at her home in Eupora on September 4, 2017.

She leaves to cherish her memories, one daughter, Therolyn Draine Harris of Eupora, MS; three granddaughters, Vanessa Yvette McDonald (Ollie) of Sugarland, TX; Velda Marche´ Randle (Jimmie) of College Park, GA and Amethyst Harris of Union City, GA; three great-grandsons, Corey Jamal McDonald of Dallas, TX; Jared Xavier McDonald of Houston, TX and Jamari Anthony Randle of College Park, GA; four nephews, Donald Winbush (Georgia) of College Park, GA; Kelvin Winbush (Rainey) of Winona, MS; Larry Bays and Dwayne Bays of Eupora; seven nieces, Emily Winbush Jacquette (Elton) of Baltimore, MD; Marilynn Winbush Cole of Brooklyn, NY; Rose Thomas of Chicago, IL; Berniza Oliver of Cleveland, OH; Lady Ann Tucker of Huntsville, AL; Melba Johnson of Southfield, MI and Linda Bays Foster (Fred) of Chicago, IL; and many great-nieces, great-nephews, cousins and friends.

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