Margaret Anne Goldsmith Hearst, 88, life-long resident of Yazoo City Mississippi, peacefully died, at home, surrounded by her children, on April 12th, 2020.
As a girl, Margaret Anne enjoyed spending time with her friends, especially Thelma FraiserHollowell, from their earliest school days, and later, the late Betty May Love and Martha Ann King. As a schoolgirl, Margaret Anne enjoyed riding scooters and bikes, then working at The Yazoo Herald, the five-and-dime store on Main Street, and later, “the picture show.”
Margaret Anne married early and devoted her life to her family, God, and her patients.
In addition to providing care and support to her maternal aunt Mamie Morford and parents Ed and Jane Goldsmith during their ends-of-life, Margaret Anne raised seven children over a span of 36 years, and for all of her life, led the meal-preparation and holiday family gatherings for her children, their spouses and friends, and dozens of grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
She was life-long and faithful parishioner of Saint Mary’s Catholic Church.
Margaret Anne worked 33 years as a nurses’ aid at Martha Coker Convalescent Home (now The Green Houses), where she was known for her exemplary devotion to the care and comfort of the patient-residents and was esteemed by the residents and their families, her co-workers, and administrators, alike.
In addition to a small circle of childhood friends, many of her dear and life-long friends were her co-workers from Martha Coker and fellow parishioners of Saint Mary’s Catholic Church.
In her scarce leisure time and then in her retirement years, Margaret Anne enjoyed a good crossword puzzle, a cryptogram, reading about and trying new recipes, the occasional game of Scrabble, and a cup of good, hot coffee. She also enjoyed the entertainment and love of a series of faithful dogs over her long life, and then the new experience of knowing and loving a cat who inserted herself into Margaret Anne’s Bell Road home, providing dear company and many smiles over the last decade.
Margaret Anne was preceded in death by her parents Edward and Jane Goldsmith; husband of 56 years, Patrick X. Hearst; son James Wesley “Cubby” Hearst; daughter Laura Jane Hearst Lowery; and siblings Edward “Sonny” Goldsmith, Mary Jane Goldsmith Thompson, and Doris Lucille Goldsmith. She is survived by her children, Patricia Hearst Thomas, Vernon Hearst (Cookie), Lenny Hearst (Linda), Grady Hearst, all of Yazoo City, and Sabrina Hearst (Cindy) of Santa Rosa, CA; 17 grandchildren, 27 great-grandchildren, 17 great-great grandchildren; siblings Charles Goldsmith (Mary Ann) and Jo Pilgrim (Mike), and her sweet and much beloved feline companion, Belle.
The family of Margaret Anne wishes to express special thanks to the Adoration home hospice team for their kind and thorough support: Tiffany Cohea, MSW; Bonita Collins, HHA; Kallie Ketchum, LPN; Maegan Lampley, RN, Administrator; Pamela Vancleave, LPN; Linda Williams, RN, Case Manager, and Mr. Howard Johnson of Belzoni Respiratory (medical equipment provider).
Due to Covid-19 restrictions on gatherings, Margaret Anne will be laid to rest on Wednesday morning at Midway United Methodist Church cemetery, with a small graveside service, officiated by Fr. Lincoln Dall and Fr. Paneer Salvam Arockiam, Pastors. A funeral mass at St. Mary’s Catholic Church and a celebration of life reception will be held at a later date.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in honor of Margaret Anne Hearst, to: Saint Mary's Catholic Church, P.O. Box 27, Yazoo City, Mississippi 39194
