Margie (Kepler) Kozma

Margie was born October 14, 1925 in Sharpsburg, PA to Albert M. and Dessa Heist Kepler and died peacefully July 14, 2026 at Magnolia Manor of Midway. Although she was named Marjorie Kathryn Kepler at her birth, she was known throughout her life as “Margie” to her friends and associates and “Mother Goose” to countless students.

Because her father was in construction, Margie spent her early years moving around the country and living in many different towns and cities. It wasn’t until her high school years that the family settled in Hinesville, where Margie graduated from Bradwell Institute with the class of 1942.

After high school, Margie spent time working in Quartermaster at then, Camp Stewart, where she made many longtime friends. The construction of Camp Stewart had brought her family to town. But with the advent of soldiers, it also brought a fellow Pennsylvanian to town. There she met and married Andy Kozma.  At the end of the war and after his discharge, they moved to McIntosh County to try their hand at southern farming. After a few years of eventful learning and two small children, the family moved to Hinesville where they remained.

When those two children started school, Margie started a new chapter in her life. She and a close friend, Carolyn Lufburrow, started Mother Goose Kindergarten. Although after a year her friend chose not to continue in the business, Margie stayed the course and became known as Mother Goose to two generations of Hinesville children

Margie was a dedicated Christian. For many years she was an active member of Hinesville First United Methodist Church, where she taught the fourth grade Sunday School class, was a leader in the Wesleyan Service Guild, served on many committees, and helped with any and all activities of the church program. Later, she and Andy transferred their memberships to Midway United Methodist Church where she was an active supporter until her death.  Several years after Andy’s death in1988, Margie married longtime family friend Burley Lufburrow, who later died in 2005.

Margie was an outgoing, friendly, and loving person who took an active part in life. She was a grade mother for many years as her children attended Bradwell and she came to know many of the other students in the school. She also joined the PTA, where she became not just a member, but also a local officer and then later, a district officer. For many years she also served as a Girl Scout leader for many young girls. Her loyalty to the Red Cross was evidenced by being one of the original Gray Ladies when Liberty Memorial Hospital first opened, being on the local Board of Directors and donating over seven gallons of blood and recognized for 35 years of Red Cross participation.

For several years Margie served as the district coordinator for RSVP (Retired Senior Volunteer Program) where she was able to help dozens of senior adults find meaningful work. She also took a stint at Georgia Power and Hinesville City Hall. At the same time, she was very active in local and district ABWA (American Business Women’s Association) events, serving as chairman and receiving recognition for ten years of perfect attendance.

She and Andy together danced many a square dance as members of the Liberty Squares. If Margie started into something, she gave it her all.When she joined the Garden Club, they told her she had to place an entry in the upcoming garden show. She did…and won first place.  When the family bought a boat and a house on the coast, Margie decided she needed to know more about boating. She studied, attended classes, and became the first female member of the Sunbury Power Squadron. She was creative and loved to make things with her hands. She made many of her own clothes, as well as all the school dresses that her daughter wore. She could be found doing all sorts of crafts, from embroidery to punched rugs to antiquing furniture. She took many of the adult education night classes offered at the local high school. Some of her favorites were basic construction, welding, and stained glass making.

She is survived by her son Donnie Kozma of Aiken, S.C., daughter Sally K. Flowers of Valdosta, grandson Drew Kozma and great granddaughter Andi Kozma, both of Colonels Island, special niece Lynda Bennett of Jackson, SC, and other nieces, nephews, and cousins.

Funeral services will be held Saturday, July 18th, 2026 at 1:00 pm at the Midway Methodist Church with Rev. Hank Perry and Rev. Henry Bass officiating. Visitation will be one hour prior to the service at the church. Burial will follow service at the Hinesville Cemetery. 

Pallbearers: Stevie Sikes, Paul Zechman, Joey Kennedy, Layton Fraser, Mike Mixon and Thomas H. Deloach. 

Thomas L. Carter Funeral Home & Crematory is handling the arrangements.
 

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