Margaret N. Ghant departed this earthly life Monday, August 14, 2017. A service of Praise and Celebration will be held Saturday August 19, 2017 at 10:00am at the New Light Baptist Church with burial to follow at the Abilene Municipal Cemetery. A visitation will be held Friday from 6-8pm Margaret was born April 5, 1932, in Madisonville, (Madison County) Texas to Sandy Nellums and Mary Elizabeth Proctor. She moved to Abilene, Texas in 1946 and attended Woodson High School graduating with the Class of 1950. She was a faithful and active member of the New Light Baptist Church for over 70 years. She was a nurse for many years at Hendrick Hospital and later at Abilene State School after having studied at Cisco Junior College. She was a tireless worker serving numerous capacities at her church and community including: Political Informant, Finance Committee Member, and Vacation Bible School Volunteer and was a member and teacher of Mission #2 here at New Light. She was a member of Texas LVN Association, NAACP, ICAN (Interested Citizens of Abilene North), Abilene Black Chamber of Commerce, and Red Hat Society, served as a nursing home ombudsman, Taylor County Voter Registration, and a hospice volunteer. She also served as a Den Mother with Cub Scouts and was active with the Parent Teacher Association. Margaret was the recipient of numerous awards including: ICAN Hero (2014), Abilene Black Chamber Citizen of the Year (2008), Black History Month Committee Member (2001), and NAACP (Abilene/Taylor County Branch #6228) Certificate of Appreciation (2002). Left to cherish her memory is her son, Clarence E. Brown, Jr. and (long-time companion Laverne Smith), her sister, Alma Zilla Nellums, her grandsons, Clarence E. Brown, III, Mario Brown, and Adrian Brown, her granddaughters, Tamara Brown and Erika Brown, godson George A. Mason (Vickie) and a host of nieces, nephews, extended family, and her New Light Church Family. Preceding her in death are her parents, six sisters: Frankie, Norina, Louise, Ruby, and Leah Alpha, and two brothers, Alvin Nellums and Sidney Green. Services entrusted to Dove Funeral Home. Online condolences may be made at www.dovefuneralhome.net.