Sept. 22, 1940 – May 5, 2014

NATCHEZ — Memorial services for Rivers Marguerite “Miss Margie – The Bail Bond Lady” Wilson, 73, of Natchez, who died Monday, May 5, 2014, at her residence, will be at 2 p.m. Monday at Community Chapel Church of God with the Rev. Bo Swilley officiating.

Services will be under the direction of Laird Funeral Home.

Visitation will be from noon until service time Monday at the church.

Mrs. Wilson was born Sept. 22, 1940, the daughter of James F. Whittington Sr. and Lillian Jackson Whittington.

Mrs. Rivers Marguerite Wilson, affectionately known as “Miss Margie,” was a dedicated professional bail bondsman and operated the Natchez branch of Mississippi Bonding Company for 15 years.

She touched the lives of many people by always telling it like it was and helping them turn their lives around so that they would have a better future. Whatever the need, she was there.

Nobody went hungry on her watch.

During the summer, her grandchildren, great-grandchildren and countless nephews, nieces and adopted kids couldn’t wait to spend time with their Maw Maw and Aunt Margie.

Prior to the bonding business, Miss Margie enjoyed a successful landscaping career in the Natchez area. Many of the beautiful gardens and yards she helped create were featured in Southern Living and Architectural Digest magazines and her container-grown flowers were featured in a book written by Felder Rushing. Wherever Miss Margie was, there would be flowers no doubt. Heaven’s gardens can only be more magnificent with her there.

Through Miss Margie’s illness, her faith and strength never wavered, and she fought with all of her being. Never asking “why me?”

She only prayed that none of her children would ever have to go through what she was endured. She gained an even deeper admiration for her daughter-in-law, Ellen, who facing the same challenge and was such an inspiration and source of peace. She also mourned for the ones who had not been able to receive the care that she was being given.

Mrs. Wilson was preceded in death by her parents; two sisters, Judy Robinson and Lynn Lance; and one brother, Robert Paul Whittington.

Survivors include her husband, Armond Dufren; two sons, James Saunders Jr. and wife, Ellen, and Rudy Wilson and wife, Brandyn; two daughters, Rebecca Gwin and husband, Shot, all of Natchez, and Ruthie Whitten and husband, Don, of Woodward, Okla.; stepchildren, Armond Dufren Jr. and wife, Lara, of Lafitte, Marc Dufren and wife, Rosalyn, of Prairieville and Stacy Smith and husband, Dean, of Gonzales; one brother, Jimmy Whittington and wife, Pat, of Monck’s Corner, S.C.; one sister, Dianne Wilson and husband, Roger, of Natchez; brothers-in-law, Teddy Robinson of Fayette and Glynn Lance of Newellton; 25 grandchildren, 13 great-grandchildren; and a number of nephews, nieces and adopted kids.

The current and former employees of the Adams County Sheriff’s Office and the Natchez Police Department were like family to Miss Margie. She loved them all.

She also felt a deep fondness for caretakers Linda Williams and Lillian Ross, Ashley Wilson and her hospice team, Dr. Moore, Dr. Givens and Dr. Borum for their dedication to her care.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Kids Across America, which provides inner-city kids with a Christian summer camp experience. Donations can be mailed to P.O. Box 930, Branson, Mo. 65615 or kidsacrossamerica.org) or the American Lung Association.

Online condolences may be sent to lairdfh.com.