Margaret Irene Zegelien, age 78, passed away peacefully with her family by her side on Friday, March 6, 2026.

Margaret was born on April 10, 1947, in Duplin County to the late Paul Thomas Baggett and Luby Maready Baggett. She was a loving mother, grandmother, and devoted teacher who lovingly invested in the lives of her children and students. Margaret loved her Lord deeply and desired to honor Him in all she did. As a teacher, she not only taught her students the ABCs of the alphabet but also the ABCs of salvation. She was a faithful member of Anchor Free Will Baptist Church for 63 years.

Visitation will be held on Tuesday, March 10, 2026, from 6:00–8:00 p.m. at Jones Funeral Home of Jacksonville. The funeral service will be held on Wednesday, March 11, 2026, at 10:00 a.m. in the Jones Funeral Home Chapel, followed by a graveside committal at Onslow Memorial Park. Officiating the service will be Dr. Curtis Linton and Dr. Frankie Baggett.

Margaret was preceded in death by her husband, Leland Zegelien, her son, Timothy Zegelien, and her brothers Franklin and David Baggett.

She is survived by her daughters, Kimberly Zegelien, Tammy Strickland (Thomas), and Leigh Ann Walker (Jeff); her son, Leland Paul Zegelien (Traci); her grandchildren, Lauren Riggs (Sam), Mikayla Hurt (Andrew), Marissa Rice (Jeremy), Brooklyn Strickland, Dionysus, Drew Strickland, Karlie Strickland, Chet Walker, Lucas Zegelien, Asher Strickland, and Ty Walker; her great-grandchildren, Emilia Riggs, Theo Riggs, Rosemary Hurt, Rivy Rice, Elody Rice, and Finn Hurt; her sisters, Geraldine Walton and Pauline Hitt; her brother, Thomas Baggett; and many loving nieces, nephews, and cousins.

The family would like to extend a heartfelt thank you to Gentiva Hospice for the compassionate care they provided during Margaret's illness and in her final days. A special thank you to her nurse, Kalie Gladstone, and her nurse's aide, Alyssa Weaver, whose kindness, care, and encouragement were such a blessing to Margaret and to our family.

Margaret's greatest joy was serving her Lord and loving her family. Her legacy of faith and devotion will continue to live on in the lives of those she touched. Her family rejoices in the assurance that she is now in the presence of the Savior she loved so dearly.

Electronic condolences may be left for the family at www.jonesfh.org.