Mary Margaret Boydston

      Mary Margaret Boydston, 83, New Underwood, S.D., passed away Saturday, May 30, 2015.
    Mary Margaret Adkins (Boydston) was born April 4, 1932, to Evelyn and William Adkins in Lenoir, N.C. She was the oldest of three children; her siblings were Betty Jean and Bobby. Her mother, Evelyn, passed away when Margaret was six years old, and her paternal grandmother cared for her and her siblings as her father, William, worked various jobs. When she was in the eighth grade, Margaret struck out on her own and moved in with a family as a part-time helper/babysitter. She attended high school in Hudson, N.C., where she formed a close relationship with her home economics teacher, Claudia Kincaid. Claudia became her mentor and her friend, sharing many important life moments. Margaret also met Phyllis Cannon (Amos) during these years and they became lifelong friends. Phyllis continued to honor their friendship by faithfully writing to Margaret, even when she was no longer able to respond.
    Margaret attended and graduated in May 1951 from Hudson High School. She met her first husband, James (Jim) Andrews, during her high school years. They were married in November 1951, and began a journey as a U.S. Air Force family. In 1952, Cynthia Gay was born to the couple; Janet Lee arrived in 1956, and was followed by Susan Elaine in 1962. Margaret enjoyed her life as a military wife and followed her husband to many military bases around the world. She was able to develop lasting friendships and experience a variety of cultures thanks to the United States Air Force.
    Margaret began working part time as her daughters grew, and held many secretarial positions over the years. Jim retired from the service in 1971 and the family returned to North Carolina. This was a dramatic change in lifestyle, and Margaret and Jim separated and eventually divorced. Margaret returned to South Dakota and was employed at Prairie States Life Insurance Company. While working there, she began dance classes. This is where she met her current husband, Charles (Chuck) Boydston. They began dating in December 1983 and were married in July 1984. Margaret became a good ranch wife, caring for Charles, and making a wonderful home on the family farm in New Underwood. She became somewhat known as the “hostess with the mostess,” graciously welcoming family, old friends, and newcomers.
     Margaret’s greatest joys were traveling the world with Charles after his retirement from the dairy business. They traveled all over Europe, including England, Holland, Germany, Spain, and other countries. They also enjoyed several cruises, usually making new friends along the way.
    Margaret’s greatest gift was the love she gave to her daughters and their children, Joseph (Cinde), Sarah (Janet), Matthew and Meagan (Susan). She further shared her love with Charles’ children and their children. She became a great-grandmother to Elijah, Gabriel, Benjamin, Paxton, Madeleine, Serai, and Natalia. After becoming a great-grandmother, Margaret became known as GG…the GREAT Grandma.
    Margaret’s many talents included being a loving mother who enjoyed sewing for her daughters and others, making Halloween costumes for her grandchildren, and crafting accents for her home. She was a wonderful cook and carefully planned her weekly menus just as she learned in Claudia’s home economics class years ago. Margaret had a strong faith and her joy for the Lord poured out of her to bless her loved ones.
    Margaret’s health declined, and she became a resident at a Rapid City nursing home for the last five years of her life. She shared her bright eyes and beautiful smile with all until the end of her days. She passed peacefully in her sleep and is now free and with the Lord.
    Margaret is survived by her husband, Charles Boydston, New Underwood; daughters, Janet Andrews, Rapid City, and Susan McGee, Charlotte, N.C.; step-children, Judy (Dan) Dryden, Rapid City, Barbara Zar, Ft. Collins, Colo., Dale (Karen) Boydston, New Underwood, Peggy Boydston, Rapid City; grandchildren, Joseph Raske, Sioux Falls, Sarah (Felipe) Salinas, Scottsbluff, Neb., Matthew (Ashley) McGee, Matthews, N.C., Meagan Church. Charlotte, N.C., Ashley (Ouriel) Avraham, Portland, Ore., Derek Thirstrup, Seattle, Wash., Noah Boydston, Springfield, Mo., Sky Boydston, Longmont, Colo., and Jacob Boydston, Rapid City; great-grandchildren Elijah, Gabriel and Benjamin Salinas, Scottsbluff, Neb., and Paxton and Madeline, the Charlotte, N.C., area.
    Margaret is lovingly missed by her family and friends. She will be remembered as a kind, graceful, compassionate woman of courage and strength. She has been called home to see her parents, her siblings, her oldest daughter, Cinde, and her grandsons, Nathan Boydston and Neal Boydston.
    Visitation will be Wednesday, June 3, 2015, from 6:00-8:00 p.m. at Kirk Funeral Home and will continue one hour before service time at the church.
    Funeral services will be Thursday, June 4, 2015, at 10:00 a.m. at New Underwood Community Church, New Underwood, S.D., with Rev. Wes Wileman officiating.
    Burial will follow at the New Underwood Cemetery.
    In lieu of flowers, the family has established a memorial in Mary Margaret’s name.
    Family and friends may sign Mary Margaret’s online guestbook at www.kirkfuneralhome. com