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“She opens her mouth with wisdom, and loving instruction is on her tongue.” (Proverbs 31:26.) The earthly voice of Margaret Eiland was silenced on November 13, 2019, when she passed away at the age of 102. Her family and friends will miss her wisdom, her wit and her love of life.

Margaret Hogg Eiland grew up in the Rawls community of Covington County, and spent most of her adult life in Andalusia. In 1939, she married Charles Walton Eiland and they spent 58 years together until his death in 1997. In his last years she faithfully took care of him with love and patience.

In addition to her husband, Mrs. Eiland was preceded in death by an infant daughter, Betty Joyce, her brothers Byron Hogg and Walter Hogg, and a sister, Quinell Evans.

Mrs. Eiland leaves her children Margaret L. (Peggy) Eiland of Andalusia, Charles L. (Buddy) and Kay Eiland of Anniston, AL., Caroline and Larry Busbee of Milton, FL., John and Reida Eiland of Dothan, AL., and Joseph Eiland and Linda Alverson-Eiland of Vestavia Hills, AL. Grandchildren Mark and Rene Eiland of Mobile, AL., David and Alexis Eiland of Mt. Pleasant, SC., Angela and Ray Swaney of Milton, FL., Michael Busbee and Jennifer Greenwood, of Martin, TN., and John, Jr. and Nina Eiland of Dothan, AL. will miss her strong presence in their lives. There are also nine great-grandchildren who will cherish the time they spent with Grandmama Eiland. Mrs. Eiland also leaves a sister, Marinell Smith of Moss Point, MS., and a sister-in-law, Mary Sue Cobb of Enterprise, AL. An extended family of special nieces, nephews, and cousins will also miss her loving nature and inspirational presence.

Mrs. Eiland embraced modern technology as a way of keeping in touch with friends and family through Facebook, Facetime, and email. She loved being able to share pictures and stories from the grandchildren and great-grandchildren with her friends and neighbors. She enjoyed gardening, especially growing camellias and African violets. She was a talented china painter who generously shared her artistic creations with family and friends. Her home was always open to friends and family, and she liked nothing better than a large family gathering.

Mrs. Eiland was a member of First Baptist Church of Andalusia, where until recently she sang with the senior adult choir, the Glory Singers. After a serious fall several years ago, Mrs. Eiland needed a little support getting around, and found that a hiking staff was just the right thing. From that time forward, she was known simply as “the lady with the big green stick”!

Visitation for Margaret Eiland will be held on Friday, November 22, at 10:00 a.m. followed by a memorial service at 11:00 a.m. at Foreman Funeral Home in Andalusia.