Obituary

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{\fontsize{14}{16}\selectfont\scshape In Loving Memory of\par}
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{\fontsize{30}{34}\selectfont\bfseries Margaret Eleanor Whitfield\par}
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{\large April 12, 1938 --- October 3, 2025\par}
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Margaret Eleanor Whitfield, beloved mother, grandmother, and friend, passed away peacefully on October 3, 2025, at the age of 87, surrounded by her family at her home in Asheville, North Carolina.

Born on April 12, 1938, in Richmond, Virginia, to the late Thomas and Dorothy (n\'{e}e Sullivan) Crawford, Margaret grew up with a deep love of literature, music, and the Blue Ridge Mountains. She graduated from Hollins College in 1960 with a degree in English Literature, where she was a member of the Phi Beta Kappa honor society and editor of the campus literary magazine.

Margaret married Richard Alan Whitfield on June 18, 1961, at Grace Episcopal Church in Richmond. Together they built a life rich in love, adventure, and community. They settled in Asheville in 1968, where Margaret taught English at Asheville High School for 28 years, inspiring generations of students with her passion for the written word. She was known for her warmth, wit, and the conviction that every student had a story worth telling.

In retirement, Margaret devoted herself to her garden, her book club, the Asheville Community Choir, and volunteer work with the local literacy council. She was an avid birdwatcher, an accomplished watercolor painter, and a formidable Scrabble opponent. Her lemon pound cake was legendary at every church potluck.

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Margaret is survived by her three children: \textbf{David Whitfield} (Susan) of Charlotte, NC; \textbf{Catherine Whitfield-Moore} (James) of Asheville, NC; and \textbf{Elizabeth ``Beth'' Daniels} (Robert) of Portland, OR. She was the proud grandmother of seven: Thomas, Andrew, Sarah, Emily, Jack, Olivia, and Grace; and great-grandmother of two: Lily and Samuel. She is also survived by her sister, \textbf{Frances Crawford Bennett} of Richmond, VA, and numerous nieces, nephews, and dear friends.

She was preceded in death by her husband Richard in 2018 and her brother William Crawford in 2012.
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\begin{description}[leftmargin=0pt, labelwidth=!, font=\bfseries, itemsep=6pt]
    \item[Visitation:] Friday, October 10, 2025, from 5:00--7:00 PM at Morris Funeral Home, 304 Merrimon Avenue, Asheville, NC 28801.

    \item[Funeral Service:] Saturday, October 11, 2025, at 11:00 AM at Trinity Episcopal Church, 60 Church Street, Asheville, NC 28801. The Reverend Dr.\ Anne Foster officiating.

    \item[Interment:] Riverside Cemetery, Asheville, NC, immediately following the service.

    \item[Reception:] A celebration of Margaret's life will follow at the church parish hall. All are welcome.
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{\itshape In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to the\\
Literacy Council of Buncombe County\\
31 College Place, Suite B-221, Asheville, NC 28801\\
or online at \textup{www.litcouncil.com}
\par}
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\textit{``She is clothed in strength and dignity,\\
and she laughs without fear of the future.''}\\[4pt]
--- Proverbs 31:25
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