Margaret Sumpter

Margaret Jeanette Sumpter was born on December 18, 1932, in Wilmington, North Carolina, to Hattie Lou Baker and James Murphy. She was the youngest of four children.

In her early life, Margaret excelled in school and graduated from Wilmington High School when she was only 16 years old. Shortly after, in 1950, she married Rudolph Sumpter. When Rudolph was inducted into the Army, Margaret traveled with him to numerous states before they finally settled in Newark, New Jersey. Their daughter, Patricia, was later born on May 20, 1963.

After raising her daughter, Margaret moved back to North Carolina, where she enjoyed spending summers with her granddaughter, Dominique. Although she loved being back in her home state, she permanently returned to New Jersey in 2005 to spend more time with her family. During her lifetime, Margaret lived in six states, including Pennsylvania, Kentucky, Connecticut, North Carolina, New Jersey, and Kansas.

In her free time, Margaret loved spending time with family, eating seafood, and watching tennis. She also attended weekly meetings at the Franklin Township Senior Center, where she looked forward to playing bingo and Pokeno, taking occasional group trips to the casino, and even going on a few cruises. Margaret also made sure to attend church every Sunday, as she was a proud and dedicated member of the First Baptist Church of Lincoln Gardens for over 10 years. She will be remembered as a charismatic, kind, and funny mother, grandmother, aunt, and friend who touched the hearts of everyone she met.

Margaret departed this life on June 25, 2026. She was predeceased by her daughter, Patricia Davis, and her siblings, Jimmy, Russell, and Sarah. She is survived by her granddaughter, Dominique Davis; a host of nieces and nephews; and countless friends and loved ones.