Margaret Bays Obituary

Margaret Ruth Mercer Bays

October 11, 1930 -

November 1, 2025

KINGSPORT - Margaret Ruth Mercer Bays, 95, died peacefully on November 1, 2025, at The Blake of Kingsport. Margaret was born on October 11, 1930, in Toms Creek, Virginia, to William James Sr., and Myrtle Chapman Mercer.

Margaret attended Lincoln Elementary School and John Sevier Junior High and graduated from Kingsport High School (Dobyns-Bennett) in 1948. She continued her education at East Tennessee State College, where she received her Bachelor of Arts Degree in Music Performance in 1950, followed by her Master of Arts Degree in Education in 1963. Margaret started her career as the music teacher for Lynn Garden Elementary School and then transferred to the Kingsport City School's (KCS) Johnson Elementary School. She retired from KCS in 2010 after more than 50 years in education, 40+ of those years with KCS. She taught music to thousands of students at Andrew Johnson Elementary School.

In retirement, she continued to volunteer with music activities at many schools. Widely known in the field of music education, and her dedication to teaching music, appreciation for its art and skill, and application of musical knowledge, she was awarded KCS teacher of the year and inducted into the KCS Hall of Fame in 2016. Margaret continued her music education by participating in many district meetings and workshops. She continued her love for teaching music by introducing "Music with Margaret" while residing at Asbury Place and The Blake at Kingsport, where she taught recorder, autoharp, and ukulele to fellow residents who ultimately celebrated their accomplishments through holiday performances. The family would like to express their appreciation to the staff at Asbury Place and The Blake, whom she affectionately referred to as her "angels."

Margaret was preceded in death by her husband of 51 years, Vernon E. Bays, her parents, her brothers Bill, Jr., Edward, Newton, and Ralph Mercer, and her sister Barbara Jean Mercer Cassity.

She is survived by her daughters, Gwendolyn Joy Bays and Barbara LuAnne, and her son-in-law, Scott Bergendahl, as well as many precious nieces and nephews whom she dearly loved. As well-loved as Margaret was, she always wanted others to know how much she loved them.

Her Celebration of Life Service will be conducted by Pastors Ryan Shelton and Richard Isaacs on Friday, November 7, 2025, at 1:00 p.m., at First Presbyterian Church, 100 W Church Circle, Kingsport, Tennessee 37660.

The family will receive friends after the service.

In lieu of flowers, please consider donations to the music program at your church or the Dobyns-Bennett High School Marching Band.

To share memories and condolences with the family please visit www.oakhillfh.com

The care of Margaret Ruth Mercer Bays and her family has been entrusted to the staff of Oak Hill Funeral & Cremation Services.