Margaret Iona Lingerfelt Bumgarner, 77, of Connelly Springs, passed away on Friday July 10, 2026, at Catawba Valley Medical Center after a period of declining health.

Mrs. Bumgarner was born January 13, 1949, in Burke County, a daughter of the late Zinnie and Eula Smith Lingerfelt.

Margaret’s dedication to her family and friends was a lifelong inspiration to us all. She loved well, encouraged well, lived life on her own terms and ended well. She was greatly loved and will be greatly missed.

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Mack A. Bumgarner, Sr., a son, Mark Allen Bumgarner, daughter, Debra Dianne Pitts, and siblings, Rev. Jerry Lingerfelt, Joanne Stephens, Lois Johnson, Faye Zimmerman, and James Lingerfelt.

Those left to cherish her memory are her daughter, Rachel Huffman and husband, Doug of Morganton, son, Mack A. Bumgarner, Jr. and wife Kimberly of the home and brother, Harold Lingerfelt of Longview. Also surviving are the apples of her eye, her grandchildren, Jessica Dale (Chris), Nikki Bumgarner (Chris Ashley), Kacey Tallent (Josh), Kendell Huffman (Red), Kelsey Little and Destiny Horton (Drew); great-grandchildren, Cloie Williamson, Jordon Ashley, Lukas Tallent, Oaklee Huffman, Kamron Horton, Ivy Horton, Jayda Ashley, Cooper Ashley, Leland Huffman and Levi Huffman; and a number of nieces and nephews.

A Service of Remembrance will be held at 5:00 P.M. Saturday, July 18, 2026, in the Chapel of Heritage Funeral Service, Valdese, with Rev. Derek Lingerfelt officiating.

The family will receive friends from 4:00 P.M. until 5:00 P.M. Saturday at Heritage Funeral Service, Valdese.

The family would like to thank Kimbely Bumgarner at this time for her loving dedication to our Mama. Her constant care and selflessness made it possible for other family members to have a semblance of normalcy in Mama’s period of declining health. She is appreciated and loved. A special thank you as well to Rev. and Mrs. Derek Lingerfelt, who diligently and lovingly walked with us and met our emotional and spiritual needs. We are grateful for you both.

An online guestbook and obituary is available at www.heritagefuneralservices.com.