Margaret Rose (Ward) Morgan

Margaret Rose Ward Morgan passed away unexpectedly January 9th, 2021 in Lexington, KY.  She was the daughter of William Thomas Ward and Margaret Rutherford Ward of Paducah, KY, and the widow of Terry C. Morgan of Wilmore, KY.

After retiring from the University of Kentucky Admission’s Department, she then served for approximately 20 years as the Executive Director of the Community Development Board for the City of Wilmore.  In that position she was instrumental in acquiring The Rice House for a history center, the Railside Caboose Museum, and the development of the Wilmore Downtown Green.

She was extensively involved in many projects in Jessamine County such as organizing and serving three terms as Chairperson of the Camp Nelson Foundation and she was instrumental in the High Bridge Park Restoration, serving as chair of that project for several years. Other involvements included being a founding member and four-time chairperson of the Jessamine Council of the Arts, a member of the Jessamine County Kentucky River Task Force, county representative for several years on the Blue Grass Area Development Committee and the Blue Grass Matching Funds Committee for State Tourism. Mrs. Morgan worked on state tourism initiative under the administrations of two governors and helped establish a tourism initiative for Jessamine County.  She researched and designed tourism brochures for Camp Nelson, Wilmore and the KY River area of Jessamine County.  She was the recipient of the Jessamine County Chamber of Commerce Special Service Award .

Additional positions of leadership included serving as Chairman of the Jessamine County Extension Council and Chairman of the 4-H Club and Horse and Pony Club for which efforts she received the State of Kentucky Conrad Feltner Award. She served three years as State Chairman of the Board for the Duncan Tavern State Historic Center and the John Fox Jr. Memorial Library in Paris.

She was involved with the Jessamine County Special Events Committee which produced many successful events over the years, raising funds for Camp Nelson and more recently “The Paul Sawyier Drama” at the High Bridge Park.

Margaret served as the Republican County Campaign Chair several times for Congressman Hal Rogers, President George H. Bush, senator Mitch McConnell, and Jim Bunning’s campaign for governor. She worked on the gubernatorial campaign for Louie Nunn’s second run and two times for Larry Forgy.  Over the years she served as the Republican County Chair, Vice Chair, and Secretary, and also organized the only active Teenage Republican Club in the state at that time.

Ms. Morgan is survived by one son, Michael W. Morgan of Paint Lick, KY, and a step-son, Craig (Cheryl) Morgan, Lexington, KY, two grandchildren, Hannah Grace Morgan and Evan Morgan, and long-time caregiver and friend Wanda Raglin.

A Graveside Remembrance Service will be held at 12:00PM Thursday, January 14, 2021 at the Lexington Cemetery.  Serving as pallbearers are Michael Morgan, Mayor Harold Rainwater, George Dean, Tim Vaughan, Terry Meckstroth, and Dave Carlstedt.  Honorary pallbearers are Bro. Leonard Fitch, Jim Brumfield, William Neal Cassity, Ron Houp, Jeff Baier, Dexter Porter, and Dwight Hitch.  In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Jessamine Humane Society (www.jessaminehumanesociety.org).  Hager & Cundiff values nothing more than the trust placed in us to care for Margaret’s services.  This obituary was lovingly submitted by a dear friend.

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