Margie Kennon

Margie Lee Kennon, mother, grandmother and “great, great Margie” to her great grandchildren, took her final breath on 02/12/2022 at the age of 90. She passed peacefully with her daughters at her side. She was celebrated in a small graveside ceremony with her immediate family and, at her request, no sad songs. In lieu of flowers, please donate in her name to the charity of your choice.

Born September 5, 1931, in Roswell, NM, Margie was known by her family and friends for her deep faith, her zest for life, and her crackling sense of humor.

Margie graduated from Roswell High School in May 1949, and married Jim Kennon on November 2nd of the same year. Later in her life, Margie sold real estate and was a member of the Optimist Club, but her chosen life’s work was mother to her four children.

In an era long before there were parenting books or blogs or podcasts, Margie was an authentic supermom. She cooked three meals a day for her family of six, kept an immaculate home and yet always found time to be a room mother, den mother, PTA member, field trip mom, and the biggest fan at every extracurricular event. In 1965 she was recognized by the Roswell Chamber of Commerce as Mother of the Year.

Margie’s family was not limited by DNA and knew no racial or national boundaries. She taught her kids to love blindly -- and they brought Margie eight grandchildren, some of whom came the natural way but most through marriage and adoption, loved not for how they arrived or how old they were when they got there but simply that they were brought into the fold.

Over the years, Margie spread her mother wings wide enough to shelter countless non-Kennons, often feeding 8 to 10 each night for dinner. And she offered them far more than just food, but whatever she sensed that they needed: a non-judging ear, a gentle nudge, or a big laugh. Her mother love was never diminished by giving it away.

She was preceded in death by her mother, Altie Williams, her husband, Jim D. Kennon, her brother, Bob Williams, and her son, Jim D. Kennon, Jr.  She is survived by her sister, Hazel Kennon, her daughter, Kathy Barrett and husband Boyd, her daughter, Tammy Kennon and husband Chip Sellarole, and her daughter, Karey Kennon, 8 grandchildren and 18 great-grandchildren.

Margie’s final years were spent at BeeHive Homes in Roswell, a place that brought her happiness, under the care of people who came to be another branch of Margie’s family. She loved them completely, and that love was returned and amplified by her many caregivers over the years. At BeeHive, Margie was often the one called on to say grace before a meal. Margie’s love for Jesus was evident, and now she’s sitting across from Him at His table.

Even as other memories faded, Margie could still sing her favorite song, “You Are My Sunshine” with her daughters. Great, great Margie, our sunshine, was greatly loved by all who knew her. She will be greatly missed, but the reach of her love, kindness and laughter is as boundless as the New Mexico horizon.