Margaret Faye Cogswell, age 86, of Russellville, Arkansas passed away unexpectedly on Friday, November 27, 2020 in Los Angeles, California. She was born in Russellville on Wednesday, September 12, 1934 to William Ralph and Mary Lillian Whitten Hamm, who owned and operated Hamm's Grocery and were real estate investors throughout Pope County. Growing up, Margaret was known to her family and close friends affectionately as "Margo."

During her childhood, Margaret would look forward to visiting her grandmother Whitten's home and flower garden in Conway. In her neighborhood, she enjoyed riding her bike and her horse, Trigger, art projects, piano lessons and helping at her family's store. When her parents were working at their store, one of Margaret's dearest companions, Mervel Chandler, taught her how to make delicious fried chicken, mashed potatoes and chocolate cake and instilled in her a love for cooking at an early age. Family get-togethers at her home often centered around singing and playing the piano. In her senior year at Russellville High School, she was chosen Prom Queen and elected as Worthy Advisor for the Rainbow Girls, the highest office in her local assembly. Following graduation, she attended Texas Woman's College and Arkansas Tech University to pursue a BA in Music. She was known as a gifted pianist, who played effortlessly by ear and composed several pop and Christian songs. While attending ATU, she was asked to play the piano during Tech's student recruitment events and on the radio. Throughout her life, she loved playing for family and friends and spontaneously wherever there was a piano!

On May 27, 1960, Margaret married Oklahoman and local Ford car dealer, Keith Cogswell, Jr., and they had three children: Mary Kay, Keith III, and Ann. Margaret was a loving and devoted wife and mom. She enjoyed serving her community in the Junior Auxiliary, assisting with her children's musical events at Dwight Elementary School, teaching Sunday school, and playing bridge with her friends. She spent many enjoyable weekends with her family at their cabin on Lake Dardanelle. She cherished her memories of being with her family and friends on Ford trips, traveling throughout the South, and visiting Florida's beautiful beaches.

Margaret enjoyed assisting her husband with growing their family car business. She advocated for the new dealership, which opened in 1966, to be built where it is currently located. Margaret also helped with the interior colors and designs of the new dealership as mentioned in a Courier Democrat article about the Grand Opening. She encouraged her husband to purchase the Lincoln Mercury franchise and always enjoyed driving Lincoln Town Cars. When serving as a customer relations liaison for the family dealership, she frequently would recite the slogan "There's a Ford in your future!" and would share with Ford advertising new ideas and jingles, which they surprisingly utilized on occasion.

Margaret was known as a beautiful person with a radiant smile and a wonderful cook. Her family fondly remembers her holiday dinners and birthday celebrations, and her hosting special parties for them. She loved her country and her community. She blessed and brightened many people's lives with kind words, prayers, support, thoughtful gifts, delicious food, and heartfelt compliments.

Margaret was a member of Central Presbyterian Church and later became a member of the First United Methodist Church of Russellville. She also attended Bible Study Fellowship and Women's Aglow Fellowship, which enabled her to grow in her faith and share it with many. Margaret was a grandmother to four precious grandchildren, who called her "Nana." She cherished every moment that she was able to spend with each of them and always enjoyed playing with them. She loved movies, musicals, New Orleans jazz, and Big Band music. She would often entertain her family and others with a short song or dance and was well-known for her fun-loving sense of humor. In 2015, she took a creative leap into acting and played a courtroom observer in the feature film "God is Not Dead II," and in 2017, she was selected to play the character "Nanaw" in the feature film "Antiquities."

During the last years of her life, Margaret spent time in Southern California with her daughter, Ann and granddaughter, Sarah , where she attended Bel Air Church and enjoyed the pleasant weather, scenery, cafes, meeting people, and going on new adventures.

Margaret is predeceased by her parents, Ralph and Mary Hamm, her husband, Keith Cogswell, Jr., her sister, Mary Kay "Katy" Cloar, and her son, Keith Cogswell III, and her daughter-in-law, Leanna Steuber Cogswell. She is survived by her daughters, Mary Kay and Ann and her much loved grandchildren, Sarah , Grace, Claire, and Keith IV.

A special memorial service was given in honor of Margaret and officiated by Pastor Drew Sams at the Bel Air Church courtyard overlooking the San Gabriel Mountains. A memorial service in Russellville for Margaret will be announced at a future date. In lieu of flowers, please make donations in Margaret's memory to Joseph's House, P.O. Box 10896, Russellville, Arkansas 72812, or to Manna House, 304 South Commerce, Russellville, Arkansas 72801.

We will always remember you in our hearts. We love you!