Surprise Legacy Serves Many

This 2020 story from our Asbury Foundation FOCUS Magazine archives is one of many inspiring stories sharing the actions of our donor family.

Margaret Randle Pyles was a wonderful neighbor and friend to many at Asbury Methodist Village for almost 30 years. Her love for the community was clear throughout her life but was made more so by her decision to leave a surprise six-figure estate gift to benevolent care upon her passing. Margaret was born in Kentucky in 1920. She worked for the U.S. Department of Agriculture until 1971, when she retired as chief of employment and placement, the highest-ranking woman in the USDA. She was married to Hamilton Pyles from 1965 until his death in 1980. Margaret moved to Asbury’s Diamond building when it opened.

Neighbor Shirley Clapham remembers Margaret as a loyal friend and an avid bridge player. “She really was very dedicated to Asbury,” Shirley said. Margaret was active on many campus committees and was the first woman chair of the Diamond Council. She founded Diamond’s annual Christmas card fundraiser, and in May 2006 was awarded Asbury Foundation’s Benevolent Care Award, recognizing her generosity on campus.

When Margaret passed away on Jan. 2, 2018, her loss was felt across campus and especially throughout her large and loving family. Asbury Foundation staff were speechless when an estate check arrived from her attorneys in 2019, leaving a legacy gift of almost $400,000 for benevolent care. We honor a life well lived, culminating with an amazing gift that will serve her neighbors and friends for decades to come.