Margaret Denham Radford
Margaret B. Radford, 90, passed away on December 9, 2022, in Chattanooga.
Star pupil, basketball player, wife, mother, minister’s wife, surrogate mother, Christian, motivational speaker, and loyal friend are just a few words that describe the legacy of love during her life that was committed to Christ, family, and community.
Born in Cartersville, Ga., on Jan. 15, 1932, she was the fourth of ten children to Bradford and Flora Benham. Margaret graduated Summer Hill High School at age 15 as class valedictorian and received a full scholarship to Payne College in Augusta Ga.
Mother Radford, as she was affectionately called during her golden years, was an advocate and champion for underserved children and orphans, and a dynamic Christian motivational speaker and educator. A widow and mother, she was predeceased by Reverend John L. Radford, and son Henry L. Radford, football star at Chattanooga Central and University of Miami, Fl.
During her tenures at Hamilton County’s Bonny Oaks School and Partnership for nearly 45 years, she served as surrogate mother to hundreds of black and white children as well as in various leadership roles, retiring in 2005.
Blessed to witness and share her legacy of love: daughter, Faith R. (John Edwards, III); grands, Ira N. B. Davis, III, Chattanooga; Chief Petty Officer Jason Davis, USCG and Elizabeth Davis, Slidell, LA; along with a host of relatives, extended and adopted family.
Public viewing will be held from 2-6 p.m. on Wednesday, Dec. 21, at the funeral home.
A 2 p.m. funeral service will be held on Thursday, Dec. 22, at Orchard Knob Baptist Church, 1734 East Third Street.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that contributions be made to Margaret B. Radford Memorial Education Fund (Cash App).
Arrangements are by John P. Franklin Funeral Home, 1101 Dodds Ave., 423 622-9995.
Margaret Denham Radford