Margaret Elizabeth Smith

Margaret Elizabeth Smith was born January 24, 1933 on Maryland’s Eastern Shore, in Hurlock, to parents William and Mildred Robinson, along with sisters Clarabelle “Tillie” and Thelma “Sis”.  She was preceded in death by her parents, siblings and both husbands, Eugene Parker and Eddie Smith. 

Margaret was an excellent student through her school years, enjoying reading and drawing, along with playing the clarinet and trumpet in the school marching band.  Margaret often spoke about how her mother complained about her not going outside to play because she always had her 'nose stuck in a book'.  No surprise, her favorite book to read—the Bible.

Shortly after High School, Margaret moved to Baltimore to seek better employment opportunities.  She worked hard to support her children, Jacqueline Denise and Keith LaVan.  Her burdens were lightened in 1959 when she met and married Eugene Alfonzo Parker.  (She affectionately called him “Parker” and he called her “Liz”.)  Parker later adopted Keith and Jacki.

Since Parker was in the Army, the family lived in Kentucky, Baltimore, and Delaware before settling in Harford County in 1967.  Parker was a loving father and husband until his death in 1980.  Being a relatively young widow, Margaret married Eddie Smith in 1983.  Ed helped Margaret care for her mother, Mildred, until he died in 1991.

As a housewife, Margaret enjoyed gardening, sewing and decorating.  An excellent cook and always hospitable, she entertained family and friends throughout her life.  Margaret had a variety of jobs outside the home, from Domestic Worker to Retail Salesperson, also a Secret Shopper, Emergency Room Clerk at Church Home Hospital, and Home Visitor for the USDA Food Nutrition Program.

Margaret was acquainted with Jehovah’s Witnesses in her early 20’s but lost contact with them until Sister Joanne Casson knocked on her door in 1972.  In fact, right then, she asked for a Bible Study that Saturday morning!  Margaret encouraged her family to also join the Bible Study.

She dedicated her life to Jehovah and was baptized in November 1973, along with her daughter Jacki.  Keith followed a couple of years later.

Although initially shy and uncertain in her use of the Bible, Margaret grew to love the field ministry.  This motivated her to have a fuller share, and she became a Regular Pioneer in the Joppa Congregation of Jehovah’s Witnesses.  She was a member of the Joppa Congregation for nearly 50 years, and a Pioneer for about 30 years.

Margaret, who passed away quietly at her home on September 14, 2023, is survived by her children, Jacqueline Denise Browning (husband Gary), and Keith LaVan Parker (wife Sarah), as well as her grandchildren, Schehera Marshall (husband Avery), Melodie Heidlebaugh, Nathan Browning (wife Diana), Erica Safidiya (husband Oluwaseni), Gena Amos (husband Michael), and Timothy Browning (wife Kimberly).  Also left to mourn, are foster son Erskine Johnson and others ‘fostered’ when there was a need, niece Wendy Hill (husband Charles), and nephew Edward Washington (wife Gwendolyn), as well as 9 great-grandchildren, great nieces and nephews, and cousins galore on Maryland’s Eastern Shore.  Members of the Joppa Congregation, her spiritual family, will mourn, but look forward to seeing Margaret again in God’s New World to come!