Margaret Craig Kell

TRYON – Margaret “Pegge” Anne Craig Kell, 77, of Tryon, passed away on July 22, 2025.

Margaret was born in Abbeville, South Carolina, to the late S.J. “Jack” Craig and Margaret Thomas “Shine” Craig. Margaret was a graduate of the University of Georgia for her undergraduate degree in sociology (Go Dawgs!) and earned her master’s degree in education at the University of Wisconsin-Lacrosse. Her professional career spanned 50 years, including work as a social worker in Georgia, a building supply store manager in Texas (the first female manager in the state for that company), the director of international student services at UNLV, and adult service worker for Polk County, the Equestrian Director at F.E.N.C.E., and a service coordinator at Highwood Apartments, among other positions. 

Margaret was a member of Landrum Global Methodist Church, the Foothills Humane Society, and the Polk County Historical Society. For several years, she organized numerous workshops for Women on Target at the Polk County Gun Club. Known for her witty sense of humor, her fried chicken, and her commitment to her community and church, she will be missed by many.

Margaret is survived by her husband, Thomas D. Kell; her daughter, Christian E. Hardigree (Chris Brown); her two stepchildren, Sami Kell Morrison (Jud) and Thomas S. Kell (Jeanna), and six grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her first husband, Donald Wayne Hardigree, and her brother, John Thomas “Butch” Craig.

A celebration of Margaret’s life will be held on Tuesday, July 29, 2025, at 2:00 p.m. at the Landrum Global Methodist Church. The family will receive friends prior to the service on Tuesday from 1:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m. at the church.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be sent to Foothills Humane Society, the Shriners Hospital for Children, or St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital.

An online guest register is available at mcfarlandfuneralchapel.com

McFarland Funeral Chapel & Crematory

Tryon