of Little Rock, AR

September 15, 1937 - July 28, 2023

Margaret Fay Hawsey (Mashburn), the daughter of Tyrus (Ty) C. and Margaret Elizabeth (Betsy) Mashburn, was born September 15th, 1937 in Little Rock, Arkansas. Margaret was the oldest of Ty and Betsy's five children; Kay Worley, Ann Richardson, Susan Jernigan and Tyrus C. Mashburn Jr.

Margaret often spoke of how she loved growing up in Arkansas. As a young lady growing up, Margaret sang solos while her mother played the piano at Baseline Christian Church. Margaret was a member of good standing in the International Order of the Rainbow for Girls and loved to read books in the family library. Above all else she loved riding her horse, Majesty, who everyone called "Lady".

Margaret was a member of Mabelvale High School graduating class of 1955. In her senior year, Margaret was a member of the Mabelvale High Schools Student Council, Senior Booster Club and voted most energetic of her class. Following high school, she attended Arkansas Baptist Hospital School of Nursing (Baptist Health College Little Rock) in pursuit of her childhood dream profession. Margaret graduated nursing school in the spring of 1958 as a RN and immediately joined the U.S. Army Nurse Corps. Margaret met Allen (Al) Hawsey, U.S. Army MP from Pioneer, LA, while stationed at Ft. Bliss in El Paso, Texas. Al and Margaret would marry in January of 1960. Al and Margaret returned to Arkansas after their time spent in the U.S Army to raise their two daughters, Renae and Tamela.

After returning to her home state, Margaret devoted all of her energies to being a wife, mother and nurse. She went to work at St. Vincent's Infirmary Medical Center (SVIMC) in Little Rock the summer of 1961. Proverbs 31:13 says "She works willingly with her hands." For the next 31 years, Margaret would work willingly with her hands in the operating room. She started out as a surgical nurse and eventually became Vice President of Surgery and Emergency Services. In 1973, Margaret became a surgical education instructor where she helped shape the minds of young nurses entering the profession. In 1975, she was promoted to Assistant Director of Surgery.

In 1981, she was promoted to Director of Surgery and Perioperative Services. During her career, Margaret advocated for patient and staff safety within the operating room. Overseeing the implementation of many changes to nursing policies not just at SVI, but at the state and national level. Her involvement with governing bodies such as the State Board of Nursing, American Medical Association, Joint Commission on Accreditation of Hospitals and The Association of perioperative Registered Nurses (AORN) was something she was very passionate about. Her involvement with many legislated policies and procedures for patient and staff safety within the operating room are still in place today. For Margaret, nursing was never just a job. It was a passion. In 1992 at the age of 55, she retired from St. Vincent's Infirmary as Vice President of Surgery and Emergency Services to pursue a new chapter in her life.

After retiring, Margaret and Al moved to Harris Break Lake in Perryville, AR, where they would enjoy 17 years on the water. Margaret spent her time fishing, gardening and sewing. In 2009, they moved back to Little Rock to be closer to their children and grandchildren. In her most recent years, her days were filled with traveling, gardening with the local gardening club and most importantly, time with her family.

Margaret Fay Hawsey (Mashburn), 85, passed to the eternal heavens July 28th, 2023. Margaret is preceded in death by her parents, Tyrus (Ty) and Margaret Elizabeth (Betsy) Mashburn and her husband, Allen (Al) Hawsey Jr. Margaret is survived by her two daughters, Margaret Renae Dreher (Bill) and Tamela Bennett and her four grandchildren, Jeff Dreher (Rachel), Lauren Margaret Dreher, Allen Bennett (Ruth) and Mackenzie Bennett.

In lieu of flowers, Margaret Fay Hawsey, RN, requested memorials and donations to be made to the Baptist Health College Little Rock in efforts to assist future Nursing and Allied Health healthcare professionals in their educational endeavors.

A Celebration of life will be held from 6-8 on Monday, August 7, 2023 at Roller-Drummond Funeral Home, 10900 I-30, Little Rock, Arkansas.

https://www.baptisthealthfoundation.org/areas-of-purpose/baptist-health-college-little-rock/



''Let me go down, down, down in history

As another blood-bought faithful member of a family

And if they all forget my name, well that's fine with me

I'm living for the world to see

Nobody but Jesus''

Casting Crowns - Nobody (Feat. Matthew West)

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