Margaret Rae Blalock Rimer

Our lovely mother, Margaret Rae Blalock Rimer, 85, passed away on May 22, 2018 after a short stay in the hospital in Monroe, NC. Margaret grew up in a large, tightknit family of 10 on a farm in Roxboro, NC. Her parents, Julia Anne Rogers Blalock and James Henry Blalock taught them the value of working hard and to take care of each other. She graduated from Helena High School and went on to attend nursing school at Watts in Chapel Hill, NC and later UNCC where she earned her RN/BSN. While working in Chapel Hill, she met Bobby Rimer and they were married in a sweet church downtown. Margaret continued to work while he finished medical school and soon after they started a family of four, Mark Alan, Susan Anne, Judith Mae and Patricia Rae. Margaret and Bobby were married for 45 years before he passed away in 2002. They lived in several cities in North Carolina, Arkansas, Maryland, and Florida but eventually settled down in Waxhaw, NC to raise their family on a piece of land covered with dogwood trees. She saved these trees like she saved dogs, cats, rabbits, turtles and any other living thing that needed her help. Her calling as a caregiver both to her family and profession stretched far into the lives of her friends, family, and animals, always spreading love and a big smile. Margaret was a talented artist and utilized her creativity in painting, ceramics, sculpting and her favorite, creating pottery. She spent time to build her skills in pottery attending instructional programs and practicing her craft. She especially enjoyed giving her beautiful work of art to friends. Margaret was a strong woman. She was a “woman’s activist” before it was cool to be an activist. She marched for the rights of women in Charlotte and in Washington DC. She volunteered with the National Organization of Women and helped with many other efforts to create equality. Sorrow is the price we pay for love and we thank God for the love and time we all shared with Margaret. Her strength and spirit will live on through her family, our STEEL MAGNOLIA! Margaret leaves behind her siblings, Beatrice, Mary, Ruby, Shelby and Esther; children, Mark Alan Rimer and wife Maureen, Susan Rimer Grubb and husband Jerry, Judith Rimer Wicklum and husband Peter, and Patricia Rimer Hafliger; and grandchildren, Sarah Leigh Sims (Ty), Melissa Grubb Vaughn (Clayton), Margaret Emily Grubb, Haley Mae Wicklum, Alexandra Rae Hafliger, Peter Jacob Wicklum and Marcus Alan Hafliger. Preceding her in death were two brothers and two sisters. The family will receive friends from 1-2:30 PM Sunday (May 27) at Summersett Funeral Home. A funeral service will follow at 2:30 PM in Summersett Memorial Chapel conducted by Rev. Bruce Powell. Burial will follow at Rowan Memorial Park. Summersett Funeral Home is serving the Rimer family. Online condolences may be made at www.summersettfuneralhome.com.

Margaret Rae Blalock Rimer

November 8, 1932 - May 22, 2018