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Margaret Jean (Bezinque) McPhail
 Oct 16, 1931 - Feb 26, 2020
Posted by Jo Aguirre


© Phil & Donna Whitaker

Abernathy Aaron Funeral Home
Cresent, OK

Margaret Jean Bezinque McPhail was born October 26, 1931 to Henry Bezinque, Senior and Margaret Emma Mussa Bezinque in Schulter, Oklahoma.

Margaret was the oldest of three siblings, sister Clementina and brother Henry Lee. Her father was a coal miner in the mines around Henryetta. Her grandfather was a coal miner as well, who emigrated from France. He later lost his life at an early age in a mine cave in. Margaret’s mother was the daughter of Italian immigrants who also came to the United States searching for a better life.

Margaret grew up in southeast Oklahoma spending her early years in the tight knit French/Italian community of Schulter surrounded by relatives. She learned to play the piano and accordion and played basketball and softball for her school teams.

Unlike most young women in the 1940s, upon graduating from high school, Margaret hopped on a bus and headed for Oklahoma’s A & M College in Stillwater. Margaret graduated with a degree in home economics and began her career at Davenport as a high school home economics teacher. It was while she was at Davenport that she met the love of her life Dr. Gene McPhail, the principal. Due to the stigma of teachers dating administrators, they spent most of their courtship in Shawnee. Gene always swore that Margaret was the persistent one, repeatedly asking him to marry her, to which he finally relented. All that knew Gene and Margaret, knew that it was Gene just teasing, and he was really the pursuer.

           
Gene and Margaret were married June 1, 1954 in Davenport. Margaret followed Gene to multiple school districts as he pursued his career, eventually settling in Crescent, where they raised their four children. Margaret chose to devote her time being the best wife and mother to her children and supporting their activities. Margaret also served many years as a Sunday school teacher, church pianist, 4H volunteer and various other community functions and activities. She was known as an accomplished seamstress, sewing anything from curtains to dresses. Many of the youth of Crescent were able to display their achievements as patches on their letter jackets thanks to Margaret’s sewing abilities.

           
Margaret is survived by her children: Allen and wife Cheryl, Lane and wife Joy, Bryan and wife Kelley, and Janene. Grandchildren: Adam and wife Ashley, Ty, Brett and wife Angela, Ryan, Blane and wife Mariah, Alesa, McKenna, Jana and husband Paul Tabeling, and Jake. Great grandchildren: Adalynn, Addyson, Anderson, Hunter, Gage, Wesson, Karlee, Raegan, and Miles.

           
Margaret is preceded in death by her husband Dr. Gene McPhail, her parents Henry and Margaret Bezinque, brother Henry Lee Bezinque, son-in-law Bruce Fisher, and many other relatives.

           
Viewing will be held March 1 from 1 – 5 p.m. at Abernathy-Aaron Funeral Home in Crescent.

Services are Monday March 2 at 10 a.m. at First Baptist Church of Crescent with graveside at 3:30 p.m. at Mountain Park Cemetery.
 

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