Mrs. Margaret Ann Bruce Best, age 84, a resident of 823 Cuthrell St., Belhaven, N.C., died Sunday, Nov. 20, 2011, at University Health Systems-Beaufort Hospital.

A funeral service will be held at 1 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 23, 2011, at Belhaven Missionary Baptist Church officiated by pastor David Pierce. Burial will be private.

Mrs. Best was born on Oct. 14, 1927, in Long Beach, Calif., to the late Bonnie Bert Bruce and Marion Holz Bruce. She first married Morris Bowman Ellis, who died in a hunting accident in 1950, to this union was born a daughter: Susan Jane Ellis. In 1954, Mrs. Best married Stumpy Point-native Talmedge Wayne Best. After marrying Mr. Best, the new couple traveled to Stumpy Point to honeymoon and visit family and they never left. To the union with Mr. Best were born two sons: Mark Wayne Best and Jeff Duane Best. Talmedge preceded Mrs. Best in death in 2004. In addition to being a homemaker, Mrs. Best worked as an administrative assistant. Mrs. Best was a member of the Belhaven Missionary Baptist Church.

Mrs. Best is survived by a daughter; Susie Ellis White and husband Senator Stan White of Nags Head, N.C.; a son; Jeff Duane Best and wife Terry House Best of Belhaven, N.C., grandchildren; John Turlington Davis White and wife Sara Bunn White of Nags Head, N.C., Kristen Best Minshew and husband Mark of Raleigh, N.C. and Emily Ann Best of Raleigh, N.C. and great-grandchildren; Carter James White of Nags Head, N.C. and Worth Jefferson Minshew and Noah Bradford Minshew, both of Raleigh, N.C.

In addition to her parents and her husbands, Mrs. Best is preceded in death by a son, Mark Wayne Best who died in 1982.

The family will receive friends Tuesday, Nov. 22, 2011 from 5:30 p.m. until 7:30 p.m. at Paul Funeral Home of Belhaven.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Boys and Girls Club of one’s choice.

Online condolences may be offered to the Best family by visiting www.paulfuneralhome.com.

Paul Funeral Home of Belhaven is honored to serve the Best family.