In 1959, at the age of 35, seeing the need for early education, Margie opened Little Rascals Preschool in Irving. A few years later, she became the Director of the Kindergarten of Plymouth Park Baptist church. In 1967, her dream of opening a private school came true with the opening of Alpha Beta Private School. She retired in 1978 with over 200 students ranging from Pre-K to 3rd grade. She took great pride in seeing the names of her former students as Valedictorian or Salutatorian each year. She loved her students and wanted them to have the best foundation for learning. Margie Louise Bryan was born May 22, 1924 to Jennings McCoy and Bertha Mae (Smith) Bryan in Center Grove (Frog Hop to some), Texas. She graduated from Paris High School, Business College, Paris Jr. College and East Texas State College. While in college she was offered the position of Translator in Washington, D.C. Instead, she pursued her dream of teaching. In 1942, she taught grades 1-4 at Byrdtown. In 1944, she taught Spanish to grades 4-7 and grade 10 at Delmar School. Margie married Marion Douglas Caldwell in March 1945. Their first child, Kathy Jean, was born in 1946 and second child, Mary Joy, was born in 1955. Margie taught Sunday School at North Temple and Polk Street Baptist, both in Dallas. They moved to Irving in 1958. She enjoyed watching softball and volleyball at Irving Senior Citizens Center and caring for several cats, crossword puzzles and making soup for her friends. In spite of health challenges in the past year, she forged through and showed her true grit. Special thanks for the numerous visits from many friends and relatives including the Thurmans, Candalerias, Brother Bobby, Nora, Ruth; nephews Jerry and Al; and nieces Susan and Carole. She enjoyed them so much and especially the weekly cards from Mary Brown, her best friend for years. The family extends deepest gratitude to Liz Langingham and Lisa Swicord for their love, devotion and care. A thank you to all her former students who gave her a chance to do what she loved, teach and hopefully inspire. Although the external smile ceased on August 31, 2017, it lives on in the memories of many friends and family. May her legacy of learning and faith in God continue on through the lives she touched. She will be missed by many, including, daughter Kathy Kee and husband John of Irving and daughter Mary Miller of Irving; grandson Craig Reeves and wife Ashlee and stepson Blake; and many nieces and nephews. Waiting to greet her in heaven, the love of her life Doug (2007), and beloved sister, Katherine. Visitation will be Monday, September 4th from 6:00 until 8:00 p.m. Funeral at 10:30 a.m. Tuesday, September 5th; both at Donnellys Colonial Funeral Home, 606 W. Airport Freeway, Irving, TX. Burial at DFW National Cemetery at 12:30 p.m. SERVICES

Visitation

Monday, September 04, 2017 6:00 PM - 8:00 PM

Donnelly's Colonial Funeral Home 606 West Airport Freeway Irving, Texas 75062

Funeral Service

Tuesday, September 05, 2017 10:30 AM

Donnelly's Colonial Funeral Home 606 West Airport Freeway Irving, Texas 75062

Graveside Service

Tuesday, September 05, 2017 12:30 PM

DFW National Cemetery 2000 Mountain Creek Parkway Dallas, TX 75211