Through the Viewfinder: Local couple learns to overcome hardships together — with breakfast, too

Published 12:05 am Tuesday, June 28, 2016

NATCHEZ — Margaret Harveston’s life is dedicated to looking after seniors.

For the past 17 years, the 72-year-old has spent her days at the Natchez Senior Citizen’s Multipurpose Center.

When Harveston is not at the center, she is with her 91-year-old husband, Lewis Harveston, who is a World War II veteran.

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Margaret said God has given her a blessed life, and she wouldn’t leave Natchez for anything.

“I’ve been here all my life, and I can’t imagine going anywhere else,” Margaret said.

Margaret and Lewis first met at West Side Baptist Church, where they were members until the church closed.

“Every time we’d be at church, he would always find a way to sit by me,” Margaret said.

Margaret described Lewis as a gentleman since the first time they met. Always opening doors and pulling out her chair really won her over, she said.

“As it ended up, God brought us together, and we’ve been together ever since,” Margaret said.

However, meeting in a house of God didn’t guarantee them an easy life together. Lewis was diagnosed with cancer just 20 months after the two were married in 1965. He later suffered a stroke in 1999. Margaret said as they are getting older, she finds it important to have someone there that cares and that God has given them a good life together.

“A lot of people get upset and run off, but I stayed put,” she said.

However, Lewis wasn’t the only one to face a medical obstacle.

In 1994, Margaret was given approximately five more years to live after doctors diagnosed her with three tumors that resulted in her adrenal glands being removed. Lewis wasn’t able to be there with her but he sent her flowers from their garden every day.

“It was a tough time but I went through it with his (illness) and he went through with mine,” Margaret said.

Lewis worked as a printer for 51 years and worked as a security guard until he was 81.

“I told him, honey, I don’t want to walk by your casket one day and say ‘Bless his heart, he worked all of his life,’” Margaret said.

Now goodbye kisses are replaced with coffee in the morning and homemade breakfast. Margaret said every morning her husband makes her a full-fledged breakfast.  While it may not sound romantic to some people, she said this is how the two show affection towards each other.

“This morning I walked out. I had scrambled eggs and toast, and apple butter, and a glass of water for my pill,” she said. “We just know we love each other and we’ll get through it together like always.”