Tributes

It was a most fortuitous night on June 28, 1926, when Margie Lee was born to Allen and Katie Qualls Roark in Tioga, Texas. She grew up with her family of 9 siblings in a house on their uncle’s farm. Margie was smart and pretty. She kept the household together by cooking, sewing, and any other tasks to maintain a proper family home. At a young age it was clear that Margie had a mind for business. She had a talent for cooking on a budget. Her father would brag that Margie could feed the entire family for 13 cents. With that money, she bought macaroni and canned tomatoes, and the family loved it. She ironed ribbons and combed her sister’s hair, pressed clothes and polished shoes. She helped prepare the children for school and organized the home for her mother. Margie was a good student and in 1944, she was so proud to be the first member of her family to graduate from high school. She saved all the money she had to buy special shoes for her graduation - red high-heeled sandals. Margie loved red and loved those shoes. Unfortunately, it rained so much the night of her graduation that the bridge washed out making it impossible for the family to attend. Margie graduated wearing new red shoes and later she spent that night with her grandmother in town. The lovely and talented Margie Lee Roark moved to Dallas on her own after World War II. Eventually, she found a job as a secretary for William Volker, a furniture business. She attended John Robert Powers School of Modeling where she learned how to dress properly and gained poise and confidence in social situations. She spoke often of the experience and enjoyed it very much. While in Dallas, she met a prominent chiropractor – Dr. R. B. Drennan – and married him in 1955. Margie and R. B. had two children – R. B. Jr. and Mark William. Both of which are successful today in their respective fields of faculty of Risk Management and Insurance at Temple University in Philadelphia and a leader in real estate and investments in Dallas. With her husband’s encouragement and influence, Margie became involved in many organizations and businesses. Margie was a fierce advocate for women in business. In 1966, she was elected to be the Southwest District Vice President of the American Business Women’s Association (ABWA). In 1967, she was elected to be the National President of ABWA. In her role as President, Margie traveled the entire country speaking and advocating for women in business. She was involved locally and nationally in raising scholarship funds to award to women who wanted to further the education. Margie was a recipient of a Key to the City of Dallas for her efforts in ABWA. Margie was an entrepreneur at heart and was involved in many disparate business ventures. She was the founder of Brush ’N Beauty Salon in Oak Cliff, she started her own cosmetic salon in north Dallas along with a plus size ladies’ boutique. When R.B. passed away in 1989, Margie would continue her husband’s passion for real estate by investing in multi-family properties. She focused her investments in Oak Cliff, an area she knew well. At one point, Margie owned over 120 apartment units, including the apartment house she had rented when coming to Dallas. Margie loved to travel and traveled extensively throughout Europe and the Middle East. She had many stories to tell of her adventures in far away places and she made many friends. With so many interests and activities, Margie found the time to enroll at Brookhaven Community College where she took classes in theater and was a member of the Brookhaven Platinum Follies. Being part of the Follies was an important part of her life for many years as singing, dancing and performing brought great joy to her. A significant part of Margie’s life at an early age in Tioga was joining the Church of Christ. She was a faithful follower of God’s word. She always carried her Bible with her wherever she went. Margie was a member of the Webb Chapel Church of Christ in Farmers Branch for many years. Margie is survived by two sisters Glenda Allen (Jay Allen), Nancy Blakely (Bill Blakely, widowed); two sons R. B. Drennan, Jr. (Matthew Pilarz) and Mark William Drennan (Cynthia Paine-Drennan) and one grandson R. B. Drennan, III. Margie led a full life and was born way ahead of her time. Her memory and legacy will live on. A visitation will be held at 9:00 AM on Friday, July 5, 2024 at Slay Memorial Chapel in Aubrey, TX with the funeral service beginning at 10:00 AM. Interment will follow at Tioga Cemetery in Tioga, TX. Arrangements are under the direction of Bradley Shotts and Slay Memorial Funeral Center.

Tributes

Margie Lee Drennan

June 28, 1926 - June 29, 2024