Margaret L. (Christy) Stiles, 91, of Hillsboro died Aug. 20, 2025, from natural causes. Mrs. Stiles was a lifelong teacher who loved caring for her family. She began her teaching career at age 19 in 1953 due to a teacher shortage. While teaching all school year, she attended college to obtain her teaching credential in the summers alongside her lifelong best friend, Delores. Margaret met her husband in 1958 when she moved to Keytesville to serve as a teacher in the newly integrated school district. Her husband’s family invited her to dinner and marriage quickly followed on May 25, 1959. She continued teaching with a few short breaks for more than 50 years. She taught at the Richwoods R-7 school district, beginning in 1976 and retiring in 2008. After retirement, she volunteered for more than a decade tutoring students at the Christian Outreach School in Hillsboro. She loved her flowers and garden. She was born Jan. 19, 1934, on a farm near Revere.
She was preceded in death by her husband of more than 58 years: William J. (Billy Joe) Stiles.
She is survived by five children: Darrell (Tracy) Stiles of Hillsboro, Daniel Stiles of Pilot Knob, Kristi (Jeff) Williams of Sikeston, Robert Stiles of Lawrence, Kan., and Tim Stiles of Flushing, Mich.; eight grandchildren: Becky (Grant) Barber, Abby Stiles, Angel Stiles, Ash Stiles, William Stiles, Kalli (Clayton) Harris, Jayci Williams and Spencer (Alli) Williams; a great-grandchild: Wesley Barber; and a sister: Willa Fisher.
She also was preceded in death by a brother: Billie Christy.
Visitation is scheduled from 11 a.m. until a funeral service at 2 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 23, at Chapel Hill Mortuary-Robert Brown Chapel, 103 Fourth St., in Hillsboro. Burial will be in Peaceful Meadows Cemetery. Memorials may be made to Christian Outreach School, 4440 Outreach Drive, Hillsboro, 63050. Arrangements are under the direction of Chapel Hill Mortuary-Robert Brown Chapel.