Margaret Leola Pankey

Margaret Leola Pankey, 73 years young, departed this life early morning hours of September 2, 2025, at home in the care of hospice and her loving family. Her passing was unexpected following a brief battle with Creutzfeldt-Jakob Disease (CJD), a rare and fatal brain condition. Although not an active church member, Margaret knew the Lord and the power of prayer.

Born on April 11, 1952, in Greenville, South Carolina, Margaret was the youngest daughter of Della Mae Odom (nee’ Austin) and Cecil Robert Powers. As an infant, she and her sisters, Linda and Peggy, moved to Cincinnati, Ohio, to live with their grandmother, Ruth “Mama Ruth” Austin. Raised in Avondale, Margaret and her sisters were among the first African American students to integrate North Avondale Elementary School. She later attended and graduated from Woodward High School.

On February 14, 1977, Margaret married her forever love, David L. Pankey, in Cincinnati. Together they were blessed with three children: Danielle, David Jr., and Dante’. In 2003, Margaret welcomed the joy of her life, her only grandchild, Daija Monet.

Family was Margaret’s greatest treasure. She loved celebrating Christmas (her favorite holiday), singing along to Motown classics while cooking, tending to her garden, cheering on the Reds and Bengals, shopping on Amazon, and catnapping during The Young & the Restless. Known for her warm spirit, she never met a stranger and built lasting bonds everywhere, from coworkers to grocery store cashiers. A true extrovert, she was the life of every gathering. Margaret was looking forward to her retirement in 2026 after a long career as a Commercial Account Specialist with Mitsui Sumitomo Insurance Services.

She is preceded in death by her parents, Della Mae Odom and Cecil Robert Powers, and her grandmothers, Ruth Austin and Leola Chapelle Powers.

Left to cherish her memory are her husband of 48 years, David Pankey Sr.; her children, Danielle Gray (Edell), Davis Pankey Jr., and Dante’ Pankey; her granddaughter, Daija Monet Wallace; her sisters, Linda Patterson (Monte) and Peggy Powers; as well as a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, extended family, and dear friends.

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