Margaret Cifers Conner

Margaret Ann Cifers Conner, 86, passed away on June 6, 2023.

She was the daughter of the late Frank Washington Cifers and Pearlie Williamson Cifers. She was predeceased by her husband, Walter Bevily Conner Jr.; sister Geraldine Cifers Kitchen; brothers David Cifers, Harvey Cifers, Floyd Cifers, and Ray Cifers.

Margaret is survived by her son, Edward Neil Conner and wife JoAnne, of Emporia; daughter Sandra Marie Conner of South Hill and Floyd Edmonds; grandson James L. Robinson and wife Erin, of Chesapeake; granddaughter Erin Conner Lawson and husband David of Farmville; and grandson Adam Conner, also of Farmville; great grandchildren Abigail Lawson, Nathan Robinson, Roran Lawson, Savannah Robinson, and Denver Lawson.

She is also survived by her sisters, Martha “Mag” Rawlings, Alice “Cookie” Gordon, and Lottie Gordon; and her brother William “Bud” Cifers. Margaret at one time had 44 nieces and nephews.

Margaret was born in Granville County, North Carolina, on April 26, 1937. When she was still a little girl, her family moved from Sassafras Creek, NC to Greensville County, Virginia. The Cifers family moved to a farm on Old 58 (Brunswick Road). She lived in several places along a three-mile stretch of that same road for more than 83 years.

An animal lover, Margaret was especially fond of chickens and had a huge collection of chicken figurines and other memorabilia. She grew up working on the farm, first with her parents and then with her husband. After Bevily’s passing, she continued to raise cows for nearly 30 years.

She was the oldest of 10 children and was often called on to round up the mule and help with the plowing. Margaret later grew a huge garden every year, until she could no longer do the difficult physical work it required. She generously shared the fruits of her garden with everyone.

Margaret and Bevily operated Conner’s Grocery on US 58 in Greensville County for over a decade.

Margaret then worked for many years at Rose’s and made many friends when she managed the snack bar. She worked at the Perdue Farms deboning plant from the day it opened until the day it closed, and never missed a day of work. She was proud of all her perfect attendance certificates.

On the farm with Beverly, she worked in tobacco and peanuts, and helped raise hogs and cows, as well as her beloved chickens. The garden was her favorite place, and Margaret spent many hours canning and freezing vegetables, making preserves and pickles. She was known for her pies, and in later years for her delicious rolls.

Margaret loved her family, especially her grandchildren. She could be difficult at times, but a life of continual hard work and dogged determination made her sure of herself and set in her ways. Margaret could often be stubborn as the mule she grew up with on the farm, but just as often she could be as sweet and kind as a lamb. She remained fiercely independent, in mind if not body, and refused to accept a sedentary life.

Visitation will be 6-8 p.m. on Friday, June 9, at Owen Funeral Home in Jarratt.

A memorial service will be held Saturday, June 10 at Forest Hill Baptist Church, Pine Log Road, Skippers at 11 a.m. with the Reverend Rick Ragan officiating. Family and friends are invited to a reception afterward in the church social hall.

The family would like to thank her doctors, nurses, and the staff at Greensville Rehab and the Bloom Center for their genuine concern for and care of Margaret. Also, the Greensville Sheriff’s Dept., the Greensville Rescue Squad, and the many others who graciously showed their love and concern for Margaret over her last few years.

Instead of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to:

Hospice of Virginia

2235 Staples Mill Rd

Suite 100

Richmond, VA 23230

Forest Hill Baptist Church

2103 Pine Log Road

Skippers, VA 23879

Greensville Vol. Rescue Squad

PO Box 108

Emporia, VA 23847