Margarett Annette Haynes was born in Pueblo, Colorado to Joseph Craiger Johnson Sr. and Marion Elizabeth Wadsworth Johnson on July 18, 1943. She was the second child and first daughter born of this union.
Although Margarett (Margie) began her life with humble beginnings, she appreciated her roots and drew strength from her experience. Margie attended Centennial High School where she participated on the track team and sang in the chorus with her brother Craig. She and her older brother were well known and loved in high school. As the oldest daughter she was determined to support her family and also to live a life that she desired. Following her High School Graduation, she moved to California with her Uncle James and Aunt Marie. She was 17 years old. Margie began her studies at a local community college, and baby sat her cousin Jimmy while working in various medical offices. Over the years Margie worked as an office manager in a physician's office.
At the age of 21, Margie met and married Melvin Eugene Haynes and from this union she became mother to Miguel Eugene, Marion Andrea, Maisha Anetta and Calesse Wadsworth. At 24 years old, following the death of her mother, she honored her mama’s wishes to care for and nurture her younger sisters; Ida, Julie, and Myrtle. Margie was a new mother who was intent on supporting and loving her family unconditionally despite obstacles.
Margie’s love of family included the friendships she developed throughout her life. While living in San Pedro in the late 1960’s and early 70’s the young couple nurtured a neighborhood of youth and applied humor along with strict structure to support their community.
Margie started a preschool in her garage in the early 70’s where she taught the children in the neighborhood how to read and write. She facilitated holiday events such as Easter egg hunts in the park, next to their home, which included the neighborhood and extended family. Although Margie and Melvin divorced in 1976 their collective and individual commitment to family and community did not change. Margie’s home was open to family and friends for fun times and also in their time of need.
Margie was adventurous. She taught ALL of the children, which consisted of her children and the neighborhood children, that she was in fact a track star by relay racing with them around the block and doing hop skip and jump matches in the living room. She shared her love of bowling with her kids and matched her love of bowling with her love of traveling and caravanned her kids across state lines to participate in bowling tournaments. Marge enjoyed driving and in the 1980’s purchased motorhomes and trekked all who would join her across the USA going to the Wadsworth Family reunions, visiting family and friends in various states, and going up and down the coast of California to camp at the beach and in the mountains.
Margie was a connector of people. She looked forward to participating in the Wadsworth Family Reunions over the years as they allowed her to be in fellowship with her loved ones and provided an opportunity to seek out other family members she did not yet know. She held the role of the family reunion committee’s Historian and she took her duties very seriously. Afterwards, Margie continued collecting intricate details of family members while influencing others to seek out their roots.
The life lessons, love and mischievous behaviors she shared with her kids were lovingly shared with her grandchildren as she earned the beloved title of “Grandmamma” in 1999. She went on many adventures and participated in many activities with her grandchildren. She enjoyed playing games with them and as she did with her kids, she would often cheat.
Margie’s determination was extraordinary. Margie’s career ended after suffering a back injury which caused her to be disabled. Despite her health challenges she decided to move to Hemet, California. Years following this set-back, she suffered multiple strokes which impacted her speech, yet did not silence her. Margie was determined to do what she wanted to do regardless of the multitude of physical challenges she faced. She held on to a wish she had her entire life which was to return to Pueblo, Colorado to live in the Wadsworth family home where her mother was born and raised. In 2019 her wish was fulfilled with the support of her brother Gary and her sister-in-law Fannie; Margie returned to her hometown and lived in the Wadsworth home on Palmer.
During the last few months of Margie’s life she illustrated the values she held dear; resiliency in the face of adversity and her deep love and commitment to family and community. Margie was diagnosed with cancer on her 77th birthday and immediately decided that she would do all in her power to maximize the time she had left by spending quality time with her family and friends. Although she understood the sunset of her life was near, she continued to bless her family and friends with humor, affection and gratitude.
Margie peacefully transcended to be with the Lord on Monday, October 12, 2020 at 7:40pm surrounded by her children, grandchildren, sisters, brother, nieces, nephews, cousins and friends. Margie is preceded in death by her mother, Marion Elizabeth Wadsworth Johnson, her father, Joseph Craiger Johnson, Sr. and her brothers Joseph Craiger Johnson, Jr. and Warren Hillard Johnson. Margie is survived by her loving siblings; Patricia E. Johnson-Clark and husband Johnny (Gardena, CA), Gary Marion Johnson Sr. and wife Fannie (Pueblo, CO) , Ida Mae Taylor and husband Henry (Carson, CA), Rachiel Julia (Julie) Benson and husband David (Greenville, SC), Myrtle Edith Johnson (Cleveland, OH), Darlene Johnson (Pueblo, CO), Brian Johnson (Pueblo, CO), Steven Johnson (Pueblo, CO), and Kevin Johnson (Pueblo, CO). She leaves to celebrate her life and cherish her memory, her children; Miguel Eugene Haynes, Marion Andrea Dave and husband Alfonzo Dave III, Maisha Anetta Walker Deen, Calesse Wadsworth Haynes and grandchildren; Malik Eugene Dawud Lamont Haynes, Nyla Simone Smothers, Alfonzo Dave IV, Julian Eugene Dave, Aman Eugene Haynes, Makeda Marion Akietu Walker Deen, and Xavier Zaire Irving. Margie’s memory will also be cherished by a multitude of nieces, nephews, cousins and an abundance of friends.
