Graveside services for Mrs. Margaret Josephine Van Deaver, age 80, of Carthage, Texas, will be held at 2 p.m. on Saturday, January 9, 2010, at Clayton Cemetery with Bro. Dale Reed officiating under the direction of Jimerson-Lipsey Funeral Home. The family will receive friends from 11 a.m. until 12 noon on Saturday at the funeral home. The gates to Heaven opened on Thursday morning, January 7, 2010, to cordially invite Margaret Josephine Van Deaver into God's Kingdom.

Margaret Josephine Skidmore Van Deaver was born on January 7, 1930, in Manchester, Texas. She married Alvin Henry Van Deaver on September 5, 1950. When she wasn't working the land and taking care of the livestock they owned in Red River County, she enjoyed hunting and fishing as well as crocheting, tatting, and sewing for her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. She worked for a while at Diaper Jeans in Denison and Texas Instruments in Sherman. At the time of her passing, she resided in Carthage. She was greeted by her parents William Jesse and Myrtle April Hall Skidmore; her husband, Alvin Henry Van Deaver; a sister, Lillie Faye Robinett; as well as brothers-in-law and a niece and nephew.

She is survived by her children Mary Ann Pancoast and husband Ronald of Corpus Christi, TX and Margaret Yvonne Lennox and husband Bill of Reading, MI; grandchildren, Crystal and Asa Pancoast of Corpus Christi and Melissa and Anthony Stewart of Reading; great-grandchildren, Olivia Carrell and Jaiden Rockins of Reading and Elyas Pancoast of Corpus Christi; siblings Bernice Cooksey of Beeville, Doris Snell of Tyler, and Mary Crook of Arlington; and numerous nieces and nephews. She was a loving mother, sister, aunt, grandmother, great-grandmother, and friend. She will be dearly missed by all.

If desired, memorials may be made to Heart's Way Hospice, 437 W. Panola, Carthage, TX 75633.

A guestbook may be signed online at www.jimerson-lipsey.com.