Margaret Elizabeth Sligh Shealy of Newberry, died peacefully, surrounded by love and her family, on Saturday, February 11, 2017. She passed into her loving Savior's arms at her home that she resided in for 76 years. Margaret was the oldest child of the late Thomas C., Sr. and Elizabeth Waters Sligh. Born on December 25, 1918, she proudly boosted that she and Jesus shared the same birthday. She was often referred to as the family "Matriarch" since she took in many of her siblings after they left their family home in Silverstreet and was referred to as their "other Mom" by nieces and nephews. She was an active member of Summer Memorial Lutheran Church as long as her heath permitted. Also, she was a member of the WELCA Lindler/Sigmon circle, a charter member of Marion Davis Mother's Club, the Wednesday afternoon Set-back Club, and Lillian Leavel's travel group. Margaret loved gardening and her beautiful yard, or her "heaven on earth" as she called it, was living proof of this. She was loved and admired by so many. They knew that her back door and kitchen always had a welcome sign. She was a true Southern Lady in every sense of the word. She is survived by her children Phyllis Sanders (Philip) of Silverstreet, Molly Branton (Mitch) of Irmo, and Al Shealy (Anne) and Steve Shealy all of Newberry; sisters, Audrey S. Agnew of Newberry and Marion S. Bowers of Prosperity; brother, Ray W. Sligh of Clinton. She is also survived by her grandchildren who adored her and loved "a bushel and peck", Kim L. Stiver (Brian), Pam L. Shealy (Wayne), Artie Livingston (Melisa), Jay Longshore (Maria), Kristen L. Wetmore (Bill), Jessica Piersol (Nick), and Gene Shealy; step-grandson, Will Kinard; and 7 great grandchildren; She was predeceased by her husband, M. Eugene Shealy; infant son, Michael O'Neal Shealy; brothers, Frank B. Sligh, Claude Sligh, Charles Sligh, Bobby Sligh, and Lewis Sligh; and a son-in-law, Jimmy D. Livingston. Funeral services will be conducted at 2:00 pm Tuesday at Summer Memorial Lutheran Church by the Rev. Woodrow Frick. Interment will be in the Rosemont Cemetery. Visitation will be from 5:00 to 7:00 pm Monday at the Whitaker Funeral Home in Newberry. Memorials are suggested to Summer Memorial Lutheran Church, 1609 Milligan St., Newberry, SC 29108. Active pallbearers will be Artie Livingston, Jay Longshore, Gene Shealy, Brian Stiver, Wayne Shealy, Bill Westmore, Nick Piersol, and John Paul Whitaker. Her family sends a special "thank you" to Charlotte Berry and her staff at Palmetto Health Hospice for their excellent service. Memories and condolences may be sent to the family at www.whitakerfuneralhome.com. Whitaker Funeral Home of Newberry is assisting the family.