Obituaries

Margaret Lockard Hedges

Margaret Lockard Hedges, age 93, died Sunday, October 10, 2010. Predeceased by her husband Harold, Margaret is survived by her three sons David, Bob, and Bill as well as their extended families. She had been a resident of Alpine Valley Care Center in Alpine, Texas for the past 18 months. Margaret was born in Des Moines, Iowa. At age 7 she and her family moved to Philadelphia, Pa. Five years later the family moved to Kansas City, Mo. Her time in "the East" provided her the opportunity to fall in love with camping, canoeing, birding and hiking the great outdoors. She held this passion throughout her life. In the midst of the Great Depression, she met her husband, Harold and the couple married in June, 1938. Their mutual love of the outdoors provided a strong glue that would keep them inseparable for over 66 years. Throughout her life, Margaret worked tirelessly with her husband to conserve the wild places of America, particularly the Buffalo River of northwestern Arkansas. Equally committed to family, community and church, Margaret retained an intense focus and the presence of mind to try to do the right thing, whether popular or not. In the early 60's the Hedges purchased property in western Newton County and built a home on the upper reaches of Buffalo River. Margaret and Harold were active in several conservation organizations. They were important voices in helping to preserve the Buffalo as a free flowing river. After their home was destroyed by fire in 1991 the Hedges moved to Harrison, Ark. Margaret was a member of First Christian Church of Harrison. Friends and family who wish to celebrate Margaret's life are urged to do so through their own actions of community involvement and conservation efforts. A private memorial service will be held on the Buffalo River in Arkansas at a later date. Please email dmata@paxusservices.com.

Published October 14, 2010

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