Margaret Ellen Wilson Hufstedler

Margaret Ellen Wilson Hufstedler, of the Little Piney River area of Virginia, died Thursday, July 24, 2025 at home at the age of 93 after a short battle with kidney disease.

Born in Spur, Texas April 13, 1932 to Walter Douglas Wilson and Haseltine Hickman Wilson, Margaret, an excellent student and talented musician, was the youngest sibling of seven. Her father was a country lawyer along the lines of Atticus Finch, accepting chickens occasionally as payment for services from clients.

Margaret earned a B.A. in piano from Old Dominion University in 1965, and an M.A. from The College of William & Mary in 1972 in piano pedagogy and piano. She taught in the Norfolk Public Schools as an Elementary Music Specialist, maintained a private studio in Norfolk, taught class piano and music education at ODU, and piano and theory at Virginia Wesleyan College. She also taught privately in her home in Amherst County, and also taught part-time at Sweet Briar College and Randolph-Macon Women's College.

She was married to Robert Sloan Hufstedler, and they had three children: David Paul, Barbara Ellen, and Larry Alan. Margaret was preceded in death by Bob, David, and Barbie.

She and Bob were avid travelers, and explored the country and the world. Margaret continued to travel into her eighties; one of her favorite trips was following the travels of Paul from the Book of Acts. She always had a pet cat by her side, and almost never missed Wheel of Fortune or Jeopardy. She was known for her quick wit and helping hand, both at home and at Nelson United Methodist Church, where she was the pianist and organist for decades.

Margaret is survived by her son Larry, his wife Carla, and her in-laws and "other children" Carlos and Rita Pettigrew, who all lived together on her land as an extended family at her request. She is also survived by one granddaughter, Elizabeth (Pat) Raubach.

The memorial service will be held at 2:00 August 2, 2025 at Nelson United Methodist Church. The family may be greeted from 1 to 1:45 in the church's reception hall.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to her church, Centra Hospice of Virginia, or Almost Home Nelson County SPCA, the source of two of her family's beloved pets.

Arrangements by Wells/Sheffield Funeral Chapel, Lovingston (434) 263-4097.