Margaret (Waggener) Gurkin

Margaret W. Gurkin, well known resident of the Collierville Community and a member of a family associated for many years in the Gurkin Convenience Store operations of Shelby, Fayette and Hardeman Counties departed this life Monday morning, December 3, 2012 at the Dove Healthcare Center in Collierville, where she had been a resident for two years. She was 81 years of age and died following an extended illness.

Services of Remembrance for Mrs. Gurkin will be at 11 Thursday morning, December 13th at the Collierville United Methodist Church Sanctuary on the Square with visitation at the church one hour before services. There will be a private interment at the Magnolia Cemetery in Collierville. Arrangements will be provided by Peebles Fayette County Funeral Homes and Cremation Center – Main Chapel of Somerville.

Mrs. Gurkin was born October 15, 1931 to the late George and Mattie Sue Waggener of Memphis. She attended Snowden School and graduated from Central High School. She attended University of Mississippi, where she met her husband of 54 years, the late M.P. Gurkin, Jr., who was truly her best friend and partner until his death in 2006. After marriage, she worked briefly at Union Planters Bank until the births of her three beloved sons, M.P. Gurkin, III, George Rickey Gurkin and Charles A. Gurkin.

While living in Memphis, the family attended and were members of Eudora Baptist Church, where Margaret taught Sunday School for ten years. In 1968, she and Pitt moved to Collierville, where they became associated with his parents' family businesses. They raised their family in Collierville while operating the family grocery, Gurkin's Grocery & Market and Clothing Store and Gurkin's Dollar Store, all located on Washington Street in Collierville. As their sons matured and continued to work in the family operation, the businesses grew to a total of 5 convenience stores, a motel and various rental properties.

While living, working and raising a family in Collierville, they attended First Baptist Church and were involved in their community. Over the years, Margaret immersed herself in the lives of her family, while continuing each day to operate a successful business. She remained very involved in the lives of her children and especially her grandchildren, taking them to and from school, and attending events and school plays. During this time, she continued to operate the family’s flagship store in Collierville.
Mrs. Gurkin was well-known and beloved to many people in Collierville and in the latter years opened and operated a successful check-cashing business at Gurkin's #1 in Collierville. Although she was an integral part of "old Collierville", she continued to cultivate and nurture new and younger clientele through her caring, loving and always patient demeanor. She will always be remembered for her uncanny ability to read and remember people, for her enthusiasm for life and her deep commitment to her community, family and friends. Mrs. Gurkin’s generosity knew no bounds and she was truly beloved by many. She will most certainly be greatly missed.

Mrs. Gurkin is survived by her three beloved and devoted sons, M.P. Gurkin, III of Grand Junction, George Rickey Gurkin of Collierville, Charles Andrew Gurkin of Collierville; two daughters-in-law, Cindy Gurkin, Jane W. Gurkin; ten grandchildren, Pittman, Jennifer, Nicole, Demi Marie, John, Natalie, Margaret, Morgan, Wagner, Spencer; four great grandchildren as well as countless friends and loyal customers.

The family requests that memorials be directed to the American Cancer Society, 718 Union Avenue, Memphis, TN 38103.