WILMINGTON — Mary Margaret (“Muddy”) Waters McMichael, 79, passed away peacefully on March 1, 2025, in Wilmington, NC.
Born on June 26, 1945, in Elizabeth City, NC, Mary Margaret was the daughter of the late Earl and Margaret Scott Waters. She grew up in Goldsboro, NC, attended Goldsboro High School and graduated from University of North Carolina at Greensboro in 1967. Mary Margaret dedicated her career to the Wayne County Department of Social Services, where she made a lasting impact on many lives. Later in life, she and her late husband, Joe, moved to Surf City, NC, where she continued to find passions through her love of art and coastal living.
Diagnosed in childhood with Type 1 Diabetes, Mary Margaret defied numerous health-related odds to live a long, fulfilling and inspiring life, without complaint but with determination and abundant love for others. She was a devoted member of St. Luke United Methodist Church, Goldsboro, where she found support in community and faith.
As a talented watercolor artist, Mary Margaret’s love for nature inspired paintings of flowers, birds and landscapes. She was an active member of the Arts Council of Wayne County, where she showcased her award-winning paintings in numerous exhibitions.
She is survived by her daughter, Lindsay Prickett of Wilmington, NC; her son, Jay McMichael of Mt. Olive, NC; sister, Edna Marshall; sister in law Margaret Casey ( Dennis ); brother-in-law John McMichael ( Ellen Atkins); her cherished granddaughters, Ella and Anna Prickett; nieces, Kate Linder, Sarah Vandergrift (Jon), Melissa Stirewalt, and Amanda Dykeman (Joe), as well as dear cousins, extended family and friends who will miss her deeply.
Mary Margaret was preceded in death by her beloved husband, Joe McMichael.
Mary Margaret’s kindness, creativity, and warmth touched the lives of all who knew her. A celebration of her life will be held at St. Luke United Methodist Church, 1608 Pine St. Goldsboro, NC on Saturday, March 15, at 1:00pm.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made in Mary Margaret’s memory to the Arts Council of Wayne County 139 W. Walnut St. Goldsboro, NC 27530 or First Baptist Church of Wilmington 411 Market St. Wilmington, NC 28401.
The family extends special thanks to the many caregivers, especially Jackie Willis, for the compassionate care they provided Mary Margaret.
Shared memories and condolences may be sent to the family here.
