Margaret Keene Tollison passed away peacefully, surrounded by her loving family, on Aug. 29, 2026. She had just celebrated her 93rd birthday and 75 years of marriage with her beloved husband, Samuel Hulon Tollison.
Margaret was born Aug. 15, 1933, in Grundy, Virginia, the daughter of the late Verna and Clyde C. Keene. As a young woman, she was a majorette for the Grundy High School Band. It was there that she caught the eye of Sam, who saw her perform and fell in love. Margaret and Sam were married Aug. 10, 1951, beginning an amazing love story that spanned more than seven decades.
During the early years of their marriage, Margaret and Sam lived for a time in New York while Sam was stationed there during the Korean War. They later settled in Roanoke, Virginia, and eventually made their home in Riner, where they lived for more than 50 years. Throughout Sam’s long career in banking, Margaret was his devoted wife and steadfast supporter, taking great pride in his career and in the life they built together.
Margaret was among the first employees hired at General Electric in Salem. She served as secretary to the General Manager for approximately 16 years and was recognized with numerous awards for her outstanding service and dedication, including being named Secretary of the Year by the Roanoke City Chapter of the National Secretaries Association. She eventually left her career at GE to devote herself to raising their family. Family was at the center of Margaret’s life, and one of her greatest joys was watching it grow through the generations.
She is survived by her husband, Samuel Hulon Tollison; daughters Sarah Tollison Thomason (Len), Julie Tollison McMichael, and Katie Tollison Reynolds (Peter); seven grandchildren, Madeline Fox (Jack), Margaret Francisco (Andrew), Sophie Reid (Alexander), Claire Rexroad (Nate), Molly McMichael, Samuel Reynolds (Chloe), and Nathan Reynolds; and her great-grandchild, Emerson Francisco. Margaret is also survived by her sisters, Claudette Mullins and Judith Berman.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Verna and Clyde C. Keene; her brothers, Bill Ratliff, Everett Ratliff, George Ratliff, and Clyde Keene; her sister, Ada Plymale; her brothers-in-law, Jerry Mullins and Bill Plymale; and her son-in-law, Samuel Hughes Melton.
Those who knew Margaret will remember her unmistakable sense of humor and her wonderfully honest observations about life, which she especially delighted in sharing with her grandchildren. She loved a surprise joke and was never above appearing in a crazy outfit simply for the joy of making her family laugh. She had an exceptional eye for beauty and design, creating an exquisitely decorated home and developing considerable expertise in antiques, both as a collector and through antique sales. Above all, Margaret will be remembered for her deep and exquisite love of family, which was at the heart of everything she did.
Visitation will be held Thursday, Sept. 3, 2026, at 1 p.m., followed by a celebration of life at 2 p.m. at Horne Funeral Home in Christiansburg.
In lieu of flowers, the family asks that memorial contributions be made to the Sheila S. Strauss Hospice House in Roanoke. Donations may be made online at https://goodsam.care/.
