Margaret Faith

Vina “Margaret” (Johnson) Faith of Hale Center, Texas, peacefully passed on after 97 years of living life with grit, grace, and just the right amount of mischief. Born on August 4, 1927, in Hale Center, she was a lifelong Texan and a woman who believed there was no problem a good sewing machine or a quick casino trip couldn’t solve.

A proud graduate of Hale Center High School in 1944, Margaret continued her education at Lippert’s Business College, graduating as a certified court reporter—though her true talent was keeping the family’s stories straight (and occasionally adding her own colorful edits). She married H.D. “Smokey” Faith in 1946 in Plainview, Texas.

She worked at Struve’s Dry Goods and the local drug store during WWII, later serving six years with Hale Center ISD and working as a supervisor at the local sewing factory. She also helped run Randy’s Flowers, her son’s flower shop in Hale Center, and held estate sales with him as well. In her later years, she returned to her first love—sewing—crafting more than 75 aprons even after losing her eyesight.

Margaret was a devoted member of the Hale Center First Baptist Church and was honored in 2023 for 80 years of continuous membership. She served her community as a dedicated volunteer, holding leadership roles in local causes—including President of the Bluebonnet (High Plains Hospital) Volunteers and Dispatcher for Hale Center Civil Defense for over 45 years.

One story she often shared was from her youth, when a Hale Center family lost everything—including their twin sons—in a tragic house fire. Margaret quietly sewed each boy a black suit, white shirt, and red bowtie for their funeral. That was simply the kind of woman she was.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Newt and Lula Mae Johnson; her husband, “Smokey”; her son Randy Faith; and her son-in-law, Clyde McKinney.

She is survived by her daughter Cindy McKinney of Crandall; grandchildren Scott Prather and wife Juli, Amy Barber and husband Brandon, and Amber Montes; great-grandchildren Breanna and Brittyn Barber, Kaden, Kameron, Kyndel, and Kynzie Montes; and a great-great-granddaughter-to-be, Georgia B., due in October 2025.

Her legacy will live on through every painted canvas, every lovingly stitched quilt, and every story told at the family table

Services for Margaret will be held at 10:00 am Wednesday, May 14, 2025 in the First Baptist Church, Hale Center, with Rev. Kris Knippa and Rev. Taylor Smith officiating. Burial will follow in the Hale Center Cemetery under the direction of Abell Funeral Home and Flower Shop of Abernathy. The family will gather at Abell Funeral Home for 6pm until 7pm, Tuesday, May 13, 2025, to receive friends.