Mary Margaret Norton
& Schuler C. Stooksbury


A Story of Caring and Giving
Schuler Stooksbury and Mary Margaret
Norton were married on July 16, 1954
in Concord, Tennessee. Schuler had
grown up in the Methodist Church and
Mary Margaret had grown up in the
Presbyterian Church. They were both very
active in their respective churches, Concord
United Methodist and Concord Presbyterian
and continued their memberships in each
throughout their happy marriage. Mary
Margaret became the first woman Elder in her
church, while Schuler was very involved in the
support and financial activities at Concord
UMC. They both felt strongly about tithing and
providing help for the needy. Their spirit of
sacrificial giving and service led them to the
decision to eventually give their 16-acre farm
for the purpose of establishing a permanent
endowment for helping needy people.
Schuler retired from the U.S. Postal Service as a mail carrier in 1973 and Mary Margaret retired from a long
secretarial career at the Oak Ridge National Laboratory in 1979. They both loved gardening and farming. They
believed that everything in the world belongs to God and that they had been blessed with God's gifts. Their lives
demonstrated their strong faith through their actions.
Before Mary Margaret's untimely death from a massive heart attack in 1992, they had discussed eventually giving
their farm to charity. In 2005 when Schuler's health declined and he moved to assisted living facilities, he contacted
his church seeking help in establishing the endowment. Concord UMC, in turn, called for assistance from The
Holston Conference Foundation.
On August 22, 2005, Schuler Stooksbury funded THE MARY MARGARET AND SCHULER C. STOOKSBURY CHARITABLE
TRUST, through the gift of their home and farm in Farragut, Tennessee. This fund is established by Schuler in loving
memory of Mary Margaret with thanksgiving for sharing her life, love and companionship. Schuler is also grateful
for the love, compassion, and friendship shared through the years with the clergy and the members of Concord
United Methodist Church and desires that this fund be a catalyst that involves and encourages other people in the
ministry of caring for others.
After Schuler's death, proceeds of the Trust will create a permanent endowment for Concord United Methodist
Church. Earnings from THE MARY MARGARET NORTON AND SCHULER C. STOOKSBURY ENDOWMENT will be used to
support Christian outreach and ministries, especially those ministries benefiting the needy, including members of
their own congregation, those in the local community, retired ministers, widows, senior citizens, orphans, and those
that are ill, hungry, and lost.
Charitable Gift Annuity
A charitable gift annuity is a great way you can make a gift to our organization and benefit. You transfer your cash or property to our organization and we promise to make fixed payments to you for life at a rate based on your age.