Margie Lee Hanlon passed away September 30, 2026, at her home in Port Neches, Texas, at the age of 97. She was born September 21, 1929, in Hardin, Texas, to J.B. “Jake” and Minnie Rawlinson.
She grew up in the Hardin area and graduated from Hardin High School, where she proudly played on the basketball team and lettered each year.
Margie was one of eleven children—eight of whom were boys. The boy down the street, John Hanlon, had five sisters and decided he liked the house with boys better and spent most of his time there. At some point, John realized those boys had a sister—Margie. John went into the Navy and returned when Margie graduated to ask her to marry him. They were married 59 years when he passed away in 2006.
She was a devoted wife and mother to two sons and a daughter. When her youngest child began elementary school, Margie began college. She took classes part-time so she would not take time away from her family and graduated after eight years from Lamar University with a Bachelor Degree in Education. She later earned her Master’s Degree in Counseling.
She was hired by the Port Neches-Groves School District and taught second grade at Groves Elementary before moving to Woodcrest Elementary. She was a dedicated teacher and educator with a goal to inspire and instill self confidence in the students. She followed many through their high school graduation and beyond.
She adored her grandchildren, great-grandchildren and great-great-grandchildren. She always made time for them and encouraged them to do their best. The grandchildren have fond memories of spending lots of days and nights with Grannymom and Pop at the lake house on Toledo Bend. Lots of popsicles and life lessons were shared there.
Margie became active in the NARFE local chapter (John was a federal employee) and served as the president.
She was a Master Gardener at that time and spent the many years planting, pruning and proudly showing award-winning fruits and vegetables. She even learned to make PowerPoint presentations in her 80's for the Master Gardener meetings. She tended to her container garden with loving care and was so eager to show it to anyone who wanted to learn about container gardening. She especially loved for children and young people to come to the garden. A trip at the right time would send you home with a bag of satsumas for sure.
She and John loved to travel and after his death she continued to attend the USS Neches (AO-47) Navy reunions. She was all things red, white and blue.
Above all else, Margie loved the Lord and was a faithful servant until the end. She was baptized as a teenager and never stopped serving. She taught the youth Sunday School class at Southside Baptist Church for twenty-five years, sang in the choir and served on committees. When they were at the lake house they attended Fairdale Baptist Church. Her church friends meant so much to her.
She is survived by her daughter, Myra Gregory and husband Bruce Gregory; sons, Johnny Lee Hanlon and wife Terrye Hanlon, of Sand Springs, Oklahoma, and Jerry Don Hanlon, of Port Neches, Texas.
Her grandchildren are Michael Ray Hanlon (Marcella), Groves, Texas; Mark Allen (Penny) Hanlon, Bridge City, Texas; Jennifer (Kevin) Pettitjean, Bridge City, Texas; Christopher Gray (Tracey) Hanlon, Sand Springs, Oklahoma; John Stephen (Samantha), Sand Springs, Oklahoma; Jana Michelle (Brian) McKee, Richmond, Texas; and Julie Kaye (Len) Weeks, Port Neches, Texas.
She is also survived by 19 great-grandchildren and 4 great-great-grandchildren; sister, Tommie Louise Doucette (Melvin), Old River-Winfree, Texas; sisters-in-law Lola Rawlinson, of Hardin, Texas, and Betty Hanlon Murray of Whitehouse, Texas, along with numerous nieces and nephews
She was preceded in death by her husband, John W. Hanlon Jr.; daughter-in-law Kathy Hanlon; sister Opal Walters; and eight brothers—Jack, Clifford, E.J., J.B. Jr., Arlice, Herman, Bobby and Bumper (John) Rawlinson.
A visitation and service to honor Margie's life will be held on October 5, 2026, from 10:00 am - 11:00 am. at Melancon Levingston Funeral Home, 2001 Nall Street, Port Neches, Texas, with a service at 11:00 a.m. at the funeral home. Interment will follow at Oak Bluff Memorial Park in Port Neches, Texas.