Margaret Batchelor Gay

Margaret Batchelor Gay
May 7, 1925 – April 21, 2025

Margaret Batchelor Gay passed away peacefully, surrounded by her loving family, on April 21, 2025. Margaret was born in Nash County, NC to William Vinson Batchelor and Johnnie Hinton Batchelor. Her formative years were spent on her parents’ farm in the Momeyer community. Margaret quickly learned to work hard, both at home and at school. She graduated from Spring Hope HS in 1942 and continued her education in Nursing at Parkview Hospital in Rocky Mount, earning her RN in 1946. She met her future husband, Willard Horace Gay in 1941, shortly before he left to serve in the South Pacific during WW2. Following his return home and her completion of Nursing School, they married in February of 1947 living first in Whittakers, NC, before moving to Zebulon in 1949, where they raised their family and lived for the remainder of their lives. Margaret was the consummate homemaker, taking pride in raising their two daughters, sewing beautiful clothing for her girls, cooking in her kitchen, entertaining in her home, and playing an active role in her church, Zebulon Baptist. She was a “walker” long before it became fashionable, enjoyed playing golf in the Ladies League at Zebulon CC and cherished the hours she spent tending her gardens.

Margaret will be remembered for her kindness, generosity and sweet spirit. She served in many roles at Zebulon Baptist including Sunday School Teacher, Deacon and Girls Auxiliary Leader. In her later years she delighted in joining fellow members of her Sunday School Class, the Faithful Workers, for Bible Study and Fellowship. Her true love was for her family: parents, husband, daughters, grandchildren and great grandchildren. She cared for her husband, Horace, for nearly 24 years after he suffered a stroke at age 70, but even during that time, rarely missed Sunday Worship with him at church. She also enjoyed traveling to family events and vacations – especially to the beaches of Emerald Isle and Kitty Hawk.

Margaret was predeceased by her husband of 66 years, Horace Gay, and a brother, Randall Hinton Batchelor. Remaining to cherish her memory are her devoted daughters, Clara Gay of Raleigh and Linda Reckenbeil (Kenneth) of Richmond, VA, as well as grandchildren Johanna Behrens (Jared) and Adam Reckenbeil (Emily); great grandchildren Katherine and Jacob Behrens and Ella Kate, Shepard and Parker Reckenbeil; sisters Doris Grissom and Barbara Jo Batchelor; and nieces and nephews: Michael Grissom, Robert Grissom, Ann Layton, Jean Johnson, Wilma Batts, Thomas Gay, Robert Gay and David Gay.

Margaret’s family wishes to convey their heartfelt appreciation for all the expressions of Love, Encouragement and Support during her declining health and the family’s bereavement. We also extend special thanks to the wonderful and caring staff at Zebulon Rehabilitation Center and Transitions LifeCare of Raleigh as well as Caregivers Ashley Hall and Sonya Clifton.

A Memorial Service will be held for Margaret on her 100th Birthday, May 7, 2025, at Zebulon Baptist Church at 11:00, followed by a reception in the church Fellowship Hall. Burial of her cremains will be attended by immediate family. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that Memorial gifts be made to Zebulon Baptist Church.