Obituary: Margaret Waldrop Harbert

Margaret Waldrop Harbert, age 95, formerly of Oakland, died peacefully at her home in Wilmington, Ohio, on Oct. 27, surrounded by family. Margaret was born July 13, 1927, in Elba, Alabama, to Julia Caldwell Waldrop and Milton Waldrop. In 1938, the family moved to Oakland.

Margaret graduated from Lakeview High School in 1947 and then worked for the Florida Telephone Company in Winter Garden. On April 4, 1948, Margaret married Gene Harbert, who had come to Oakland from his home in Lumberport, West Virginia, to visit his uncle.

When Gene served in the Air Force, he and Margaret lived in Ohio, Virginia, Maryland, Alaska and Texas. When he retired, they settled back in Oakland.

Margaret loved to travel, and she was proud to have been in every one of the 50 states as well as in Germany and Austria. Margaret was a talented seamstress and cake decorator, and she was an avid reader, especially of women’s history.

Margaret is survived by their three children, Linda Madison (Russell), David Harbert (Becky) and Sandy Petrulionis (Joe); five grandchildren, Chad Custis (Nikki), Kelly Hieatt (Mike), Tara Harbert, Jason Harbert (Alexis) and Laurel Petrulionis; and one great-grandchild, Carsyn Custis. 

A private graveside service in Wilmington is planned. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to Crossroads Hospice of Cincinnati, Ohio.