Margaret Hardy Abbott was born Feb. 21, 1925 in Quinton and died Jan. 4, 2018 at St. Dominic’s Hospital in Jackson.

She was a communicant of St. Paul Catholic Church in Vicksburg and a resident of Heritage House Retirement Center in Vicksburg.

Margaret was preceded in death by her parents, Daniel Hardy and Callie Hardy Horton; her sister, Dorothy Hardy Chesnut; and her husband, James Graham Abbott.

She is survived by her daughters Peggy Abbott Dupont and husband Gerald of New Ulm, Texas, and Patty Abbott Watts and husband John of Tallulah, La.; six grandchildren, Beth Dupont Smith (Chris) of Fletcher, N.C., Matt Dupont (Casey) of Brenham, Texas, John Watts, Jr. (Penny) of Meadville, Virginia Watts Marcello (Craig) of Cumming, Ga., Meg Watts Soprano (Chuck) of Broussard, La., Jim Watts (Cassandra) of Slidell, La., and 25 great grandchildren.

Margaret grew up in Hattiesburg and attended the normal school on the campus of Mississippi Southern College where she earned her Bachelor of Science degree in education. She received her Master of Education degree from the University of South Alabama.

Margaret was employed by the Mobile County School Board as a teacher and librarian at Baker High School, and eventually became the Vice President of the Media Center and Curriculum in the MCSB central office at Barton Academy.

After her retirement, she spent many hours in volunteer work. She always felt there was no better way to spend your time than in doing things for others. For many years she worked as a volunteer for the Little Sisters of the Poor in Mobile, Al. and the “Cancer Angels” in Bellview, Texas. She will be remembered by many as the “Doll Lady” for the more than 1000 beautiful dolls that she made and donated for charitable purposes.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at St. Paul Catholic Church in Vicksburg on Jan. 8, 2018 at 11 a.m. with Fr. Tom Lalor presiding. A graveside service and burial will be held at Mobile Memorial Gardens on Jan. 9, 2018 at 1:30 PM. Pall bearers will be her great grandsons.

In lieu of flowers memorials may be made to St. Paul Catholic Church or the Little Sisters of the Poor in Mobile, Ala.