Margery Bain

Margery Webbe Bain, 104, of Landrum died on December 30, 2019.  She was the daughter of the late William Y. Webbe and Margaret Edmunds Webbe.  She was a descendant of the Mayflower passenger John Howland.

Born on September 27, 1915 in Newark, NJ, Marge was a graduate of St. Mary’s Episcopal School for Girls in Peekskill, NY.  She worked as a secretary her entire career, including work at the Pentagon for the Department of the Navy and the Defense Intelligence Agency for which she received a Certificate of Commendation for Outstanding Performance.  In February 1964 she also received a letter of commendation from her superior, Deputy Director of the Defense Intelligence Agency Alva R. Fitch, which stated:  “Late last Thursday evening, it became apparent that I would require extensive support for an unexpected appearance before the Joint Chiefs of Staff the following afternoon, to discuss the Vietnamese situation.  You and your co-workers responded ably to this need and during the course of the full night prepared the necessary papers and tabulated a considerable volume of intelligence reports for my use.  I was able to deal successfully with the questions propounded by the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff and the other members on the basis of the work you had done.”  

After leaving the Pentagon, Margery worked as a legal secretary in Summit, NJ and Annandale, VA.  She moved to Tryon, NC in 1974, where she worked part-time as secretary of the Congregational Church for eighteen years.  She also was secretary at Caroland Angus Farm in Campobello and supported a number of organizations on a volunteer basis, such as the American Cancer Society, American Red Cross, and the Habitat Resale Store.  

Marge was known for her independence and her ability to work with her hands.  She was a skilled rug maker, seamstress, knitter, gardener, and do-it-yourselfer.  Well into her eighties, she swam every day at Tryon Swim Club. 

Marge was a wonderful mother to her three children.  She is survived by son Peter D. Bain and his wife Stephanie of Hendersonville, daughter Gale Ironside of Landrum, step-daughter Rosemary Sutherland, step-sons Philip Anthony Franklin and Tristan Mark Franklin, six grandchildren, 18 great grandchildren, and ten great-great grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her first husband Richard C. Bain, her second husband Philip R. Franklin, her son Richard C. Bain, Jr., two grandchildren Tracy L. Bain and Margery R. Bain, daughter-in-law Suzanne V. Bain, and son-in-law Jimmy D. Ironside.

A memorial service will be held at 11:00 AM on Thursday, January 30, 2020 at the Episcopal Church of the Holy Cross (150 Melrose Ave., Tryon), conducted by Father Richard Ard.

Memorials may be made to Agape Hospice, 260 Fairwinds Rd, Landrum, SC 29356.

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