Margaret Lenore Knox Bayes, 99, of La Plata died Jan. 9, 2012, at Washington Hospital Center, Washington, D.C. Born Feb. 6, 1912, in Parsons, Kansas she was the daughter of the late Maude and James Knox.

Beloved wife, mother and grandmother, she treasured time with her family and was blessed with many years to enjoy watching it blossom into several generations.

Raised in Springfield, Missouri she came to Washington, D.C., in 1937 with her husband, her childhood sweetheart, the late Harold E. Bayes, whom she married Aug. 25, 1937.

In addition to her parents and husband of 71 years, she was preceded in death by her brothers, Charles and James Knox; and sister, Maxine Knox.

She is survived by her son, John J. Bayes, and daughter-in-law, Donna Bayes, of Bowie; daughter, Diane L. Knode, and son-in-law, Wayne Knode, of La Plata; seven grandchildren and their spouses, Christopher and Tracy Bayes, Kimberly and Ron Hare, Angelea and David Hoogerheide, Michael and Christina Bayes, Timothy and Jennifer Bayes, Kelly and Jeremy Parr, and Andrew and Allison Bayes; and 19 great-grandchildren.

A memorial service will be held Saturday, Jan. 14 at 11 a.m. at Grace Brethren Church, Waldorf. Interment will be held at a later date in Arlington National Cemetery, Fort Myer, Va. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made in her name to the American Cancer Society.

Arehart-Echols Funeral Home, P.A. La Plata, MD, is handling arrangements.