Margaret Lea Hilliard Foust, 80, of Sweet Home passed away Wednesday. She was born in Larnard, Kansas to Sidney Christopher and Iva Lorene (Williams) Hilliard.

During the first six years of her life, Margaret lived on a dairy farm in Kanas with her brother, James, and sister, Irene. The family moved to Bluejacket, Oklahoma where Margaret went to school for seven years. She spent her summers in Kansas while her father worked the wheat harvests.

During World War II her father was in the Army Air Force. Margaret, her mother, and siblings followed him as close as they could to Fort Louisville, Kentucky and Fort Knox. Later, they moved to Taft, California while her dad was stationed at Camp Muroc.

After the war, the family moved back to their home in Bluejacket, Oklahoma where she met and married Howard Arms in 1947. Howard worked as a welder on oil tanks. They moved around with his job to Texas, Louisiana, and Oklahoma. In 1958, her brother-in-law, Jay, was killed in a construction accident. After that, the whole family moved to Sweet Home. They made their family home in the Liberty area. Margaret divorced Howard in 1973.

Margaret married George Ray Foust in Arcata, California in 1975. He passed away December of 2000.

Margaret accepted Christ at an early age and was a member of Mt. Calvary Missionary Baptist Church. Through the years, she taught children’s Sunday school and organized Christmas programs.

Margaret is survived by: her daughter, Charlotte Schilling and husband Don of Sweet Home; son, Chris Arms and wife Wanda of Sweet Home; sister, Irene Schilling of Sweet Home; six grandchildren; and 11 great grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her brother, James Hilliard.

A viewing will take place from 4:00 to 7:00 PM Friday, December 3, at Sweet Home Funeral Chapel. A funeral will be held at 1:00 PM Saturday, December 4, at Mount Calvary Missionary Baptist Church on Pleasant Valley Road in Sweet Home. Final burial will be at Liberty Cemetery.

Arrangements are under the direction of Sweet Home Funeral Chapel.