Aileen Silvey McGregor

Aileen Silvey McGregor, 93, of Hot Springs, Ark., formerly of Willisville and Sherrill, Ark., passed away Thurs., April 14, 2016, at The Brookfield Assisted Living Center in Hot Springs. Born August 4, 1922, she was the fourth child of the late John William Silvey and Allie Starritt Silvey of Willisville. Aileen is preceded in death by her husband, T. M. "Tommy" McGregor (2005); two sisters, Norma Rollings and Olive Moudy; and brother-in-law, Roy Waters Jr. Aileen graduated from Willisville High School and attended Magnolia A&M (now SAU) in Magnolia. While spending the summer in Pine Bluff with a sister, she took a ‘summer job' at the Pine Bluff Arsenal where she remained for 30 years. She was able to retire at age 50 after working her way up to one of the top positions in the Finance & Payroll Department, much to the envy of many males in the workforce at that time. On a blind date in Pine Bluff, Aileen met the love of her life, Tommy McGregor of Sherrill. She and Tommy married Feb. 1, 1964, and moved to the McGregor Farm in Sherrill where they resided for the next 30 years before moving to Hot Springs full time. Tommy and Aileen were interested in all sports, but were avid horse racing fans together as charter members of the Oaklawn Jockey Club. In her earlier years, Aileen excelled in bowling leagues, golf and basketball. On the farm she thrived at flower and vegetable gardening and canning. In spite of having no children of her own, Aileen will be remembered as a very loving and giving aunt who was quick to share her own parenting opinions with her nieces and nephews. Aileen is survived by her brother, Ray (Sue) Silvey of Texarkana, Ark.; her sister, Mary Jo Waters of Magnolia, Ark.; four nephews and a niece, Randy (Carolyne) Waters, Mike (Angie) Waters of Magnolia, Ark., Dinah (Graham) Gutting of Abilene, Texas, John (Melissa) Silvey of Texarkana, Ark., and Rusty (Mary Ellen) Silvey of Murfreesboro, Ark.; numerous friends and extended family. A graveside service will be held on Sun., April, 17, 2016, at 2 p.m. at Willisville Cemetery with Rev. Michael Daniel officiating under the direction of Lewis Funeral Home, Inc. in Magnolia. Memorials may be made to the Willisville Cemetery Fund, P.O. Box 14, Willisville, Ark. 71864, or to one's favorite charity. The family would like to thank Aileen's ‘Brookfield Family' for four years of extraordinary love, support and care. To sign the online guestbook visit www.lewisfunerlhome.biz.