Knoxville – Margaret Houston was born, May 12, 1932 in Thornton, Arkansas. She was one of eight children born to William, Sr. and Marean Greene. Throughout her life, Margaret demonstrated resiliency and fortitude. After losing her mother at 14 years old, Margaret graduated from high school at 16 years old and enter Shorter College in Little Rock, Arkansas. She completed her undergraduate education at Atlanta University.
Margaret became one of the first African-American students to receive a Master’s degree from East Tennessee State University in 1964. Margaret and her husband, the late Ralph Houston, relocated from Johnson City to Knoxville in the early 1960s and joined Logan Temple AME Zion Church. Margaret and Ralph immediately became active members of Logan Temple and raised their children, the late Ken and Kevin Duffield, and Elaine in the church.
At Logan Temple, Margaret was a contributing member for many years. She participated in the former Chancel Choir, a Vacation Bible School teacher, Bible Study, maintained the bulletin board and, when she was physically able, planting and maintaining flowers and shrubs around the church.
Margaret had an extensive history of contributing to the education of youth as a long-time teacher in the Knoxville public school system. She became one of the first African-American teachers assigned to Perkins Elementary School. She also taught at Chilhowee Elementary and Sunnyview Elementary before her retirement.
Margaret was also a devoted member of the Knoxville Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. She served as Chapter President, on numerous committees and as an advisor to Mu Zeta, the undergraduate chapter at the University of Tennessee.
Margaret indulged her love of reading as a long-time member of The Book Review Club.
Her family and all who knew her will miss her elegant sense of style and passion for politics, college sports, well-spoken and written words.
She was preceded in death by her parents and husband Ralph; sons Ken and Kevin Duffield; son-in-law Clinton Boyd, Jr. and daughter-in-law Rhonda Duffield. Brothers William Greene, Jr., Bertran Credell Greene, Sr. and Donald Greene; sisters Elizabeth Beets and Charlotte Brewster.
She is survived by her daughter Elaine Boyd, sister Carolyn Williams, brother Alex Greene (Katie), grandsons Cardell Duffield (LaTanya) and Winston Boyd, granddaughter Jordan Boyd, great-grandchildren Carron, Kaden and Kamryn Duffield, numerous nieces and nephews, and a host of other relatives and friends.
The family will receive friends from 7-8 p.m. on Monday following the Sorority service, 6:30-7:00 p.m. at Jarnigan’s Chapel. Services will be at Logan Temple AME Zion Church on Tuesday where the family will again receive friends from noon to 1 pm, followed by funeral service officiated by Rev. Sam Brown. Final uinterment, Sherwood Memorial Gardens- Alcoa, TN.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Knoxville Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. Scholarship Fund, P.O. Box 14181, Knoxville, TN, 37914.
Arrangements by JARNIGAN & SON MORTUARY; www.jarnigansmortuary.com