Margaret Ann Sutherland was born in San Antonio, Texas on August 20, 1937. She was raised in Dallas and attended North Dallas High School. She completed the Certification in Gemology at Paris Junior College where she ranked second in her class and was asked to teach the Gemology course the following year. She spent several years on the Central Coast of California where she and her business partner, Luis Garza, opened Coques of Carmel in 1985. Later, they opened F. Garza Jewelers in Castroville, California. Margaret combined her masterful artistry in jewelry design with her impressive business skills to create wholesale and retail companies serving both the community and other jewelry stores on the Monterey Peninsula.

                Not long after the earthquake of 1989, Margaret moved back to Texas to care for her parents in Honey Grove. Soon, more jewelry stores were under way, opening Commerce Jewelers and Paris Jewelers. Margaret’s contributions to the stores included bookkeeping, sales, store décor and, of course, her love of gemology including identifications and appraisals of gemstones and diamonds.

                Margaret converted to Catholicism in 2005 and said she could not understand why everybody was not a Catholic! Margaret was a faithful member of Our Lady of Victory Catholic Church in Paris. She was an active member of Our Lady’s Guild and joined the RCIA Team to help new converts learn about the Catholic Church and its history. She was asked to join the prestigious Order of the Knights of the Holy Sepulcher, which she accepted, and was credentialed by Rome to become known as Lady Margaret. She was also a big supporter of the seminarians and the Sisters of Fatima.

                Margaret was a sweet, kind, thoughtful and loving woman who touched the hearts of many.  She is survived by: Luis Fernando Garza of Honey Grove, TX; her children: Allen Douglas Sutherland of Austin, TX; William Robert (Bob) Sutherland, JR and his wife Joan of Honey Grove, TX; Christopher Alton Sutherland of Dallas, TX; Holly Minor Howard and her husband LTC Jim of Monterey, CA; and her brother, Bill Hilliard along with numerous grandchildren, great-grandchildren, nieces and nephews.

                Margaret was preceded in death by: her parents, Robert and Lois Hilliard; Robert William (Bob) Sutherland, SR; and her brother, Robert Hilliard.

                In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Our Lady’s Guild of Our Lady of Victory Catholic Church in Paris, Texas.

Online condolences may be made at www.deltafuneralhome.com

Services entrusted to Delta Funeral Home