Margaret Lou Roberts

Margaret Lou Roberts was born in Sevierville, Sevier County, Tennessee on February 15, 1897. She was the daughter of James Jonathan Roberts and Appie Ellen McCarter, and the third of nine children: Daniel Nathaniel Roberts, Mary Jane Roberts, Margaret Lou Roberts, John Earnest Roberts, Rhoda Ellen Roberts, James Isaac Roberts, Virgie Lee Roberts, Ray Cates Roberts, and Stella Mae Roberts. Margaret married my 2nd great-uncle, though we share no common relative.

On June 21, 1900, the Roberts family lived in a rented home in the 5th Civil District, northeast of the Pigeon River in Sevier County. At that time, Margaret’s parents had been married for eight years. Her father, James, was six and a half years older than her mother, Appie, who had given birth to four children, all of whom were living. Margaret’s youngest brother was 11 months old. James worked as a farm laborer and was literate, while Appie could read but not write. Living next door were Margaret’s paternal grandparents, John (73) and Nancy (59) Roberts, along with an adopted son, Napolian King (11).

By May 2, 1910, the Roberts family had grown and relocated to a rented farm in the 4th Civil District of Sevier County. James continued working as a farmer on a general farm, and his son Daniel assisted as a farm laborer. Given the rented status of the farm, James may have been a tenant farmer. Appie had given birth to 11 children, with seven still living. Her youngest daughter, Virgie, was five months old. Margaret was now able to write as well as read. Daniel, age 17, could read but not write and was not attending school. Margaret, her sisters Mary and Rhoda, and brothers John and James were all attending school. Margaret and Mary were literate, while John could read but not write.

When the U.S. entered World War I on April 6, 1917, men registered for the draft. Margaret, then 20 years old, married James “Jim” Daniel Rhinehart on July 15, 1917, in Sevier County. Jim was the son of William Dearnald Rhinehart and Roda Elizabeth Sneed.

He had registered for the draft on June 5, and the couple likely anticipated his departure for military service. They had three months together before Jim was ordered to report on October 23, 1917. During the war, Jim served as a Wagoner in the Supply Company of the 318th Field Artillery. His duties included caring for and driving wagons, feeding and grooming animals, cleaning stables, repairing equipment, and harnessing horses. Though the war ended in November 1918, demobilization took time, and Jim did not return to the U.S. until June 1919. On his return voyage aboard the U.S.S. Siboney, he listed Margaret as his emergency contact, spelling her name as “Margerite.” Her address was recorded as R.F.D. #3 in Sevierville.

Margaret and Jim, who was seven years her senior, had two daughters: Anna “Ruth” Roberts, born in 1920, and Jean Roberts, born in 1930. 

On January 20, 1920, the couple lived in a rented home in the 4th Civil District of Sevier County. Margaret, age 22, had not yet had children. Jim worked as a merchant in a general store, while Margaret maintained the household. Both were literate.

By April 4, 1930, the family lived in a rented home on Emert Avenue in Sevierville, paying $8 per month. Jim was employed as a laborer in a flour mill, and their daughter Anna was nine years old.

Margaret’s mother, Appie, passed away on June 8, 1935, at age 59 from amoebic dysentery—a serious intestinal infection caused by the parasite Entamoeba histolytica, often spread through contaminated water or food. Without treatment, it can lead to dehydration, organ failure, or infection of vital organs. Appie was buried at Roberts Methodist Church Cemetery in Richardson Cove in Sevier County on June 10.

By April 4, 1940, the Rhineharts remained on Emert Avenue. Jim was employed as a carpenter for a lumber manufacturer. Three lodgers—Hazel Whaley (20), Gladys Lafoltette (24), and Ruth Loveday (19)—lived with them. The Rhineharts had connections to both the Whaley and Loveday families, suggesting Hazel and Ruth may have been distant relatives. All three lodgers worked in a hosiery mill.

Margaret’s sister Rhoda died on January 19, 1945, in Sevierville after battling tuberculosis of the lungs for five years. She was buried at Roberts Methodist Church Cemetery in Richardson Cove.

On April 7, 1950, Margaret and Jim lived on Park Road in Sevierville. Jim was marked as “U” (unable to work), while Margaret was listed as “H,” presumably indicating housewife. Neither was seeking employment.

Jim was a great support to my mother during a few turbulent years in the early 1950s. He could not have done this without Margaret’s support. I am thankful to both for that.

In October 1956, Margaret obtained a delayed birth certificate. At the time, she lived on Prince Street in Sevierville. Her 86-year-old father certified the information on the application in August 1956. A little over a year later, he passed away in November 1957 at age 87. James Roberts was buried at Roberts Methodist Church Cemetery in Richardson Cove following a service at Rawlings Chapel officiated by Rev. Walter Clabo.

In March 1959, Margaret was recognized in the Tri-County News for her devoted work in the kitchen at the Church of God Home for children on Park Road. Known for her warm hospitality and exceptional baking—especially her chocolate pies and cakes—Margaret took pride in preparing meals the children loved, including her famous spaghetti and meatballs, which the newspaper printed a recipe for.

Tri-County News, Sevierville, Tennessee,
March 20, 1959

On September 14, 1959, Margaret’s home on Prince Street was filled with the spirit of generosity and fellowship as she hosted the final meeting of the Lingerfelt B.W.C.—a Baptist Women’s Circle devoted to service, study, and spiritual growth. The gathering resembled a festive Christmas party, featuring Secret Pal gift exchanges, donations of clothing for a family in need, and a cake sent from Nashville by her daughter. Twenty members attended, and the meeting included the election of new officers and a study of Oklahoma Indian culture.

Margaret’s brother James died on December 5, 1963, after battling pancreatic cancer for two years. Her brother Daniel passed away on October 26, 1965, from bladder cancer. Both died at Baptist Hospital in Knoxville and were buried at Roberts Methodist Church Cemetery. Her sister Stella died on June 7, 1968, at Blount Memorial Hospital in Maryville and was buried at Sherwood Chapel and Memorial Gardens in Alcoa following a service at Wildwood Baptist Church.

Margaret and Jim continued living on Prince Street until Jim’s death at age 80 on January 29, 1971, at the VA Hospital in Mountain Home—a special area located within Johnson City, Tennessee. Mountain Home includes the National Cemetery and several buildings used by East Tennessee State University’s medical school. Though it has its own postal zone, it is officially part of Johnson City. He was buried at Shiloh Memorial Cemetery in Pigeon Forge following a service at Rawlings Funeral Home officiated by Revs. David C. Sharp and Grant Jones.

After Jim’s death, Margaret moved to High Street in Sevierville, where she lived until her passing at Baptist Hospital on June 11, 1975. She was buried on June 13 at Shiloh Memorial Cemetery beside her husband, following a service at Rawlings Chapel officiated by Rev. Melvin Lonas. Margaret was survived by her daughters Ruth and Jean, five grandchildren, one great-grandchild, two sisters, and two brothers. At the time of her death, she was a member of the First Baptist Church in Sevierville.

Tombstone photos by Liz Olmstead, Find a Grave ID 46772820

References

• Aunt Beth’s Corner, Tri-County News, Sevierville, Tennessee, March 20, 1959.
• Find a Grave, database and images (https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/117567771/stella_mae-mcmahan: accessed August 23, 2025), memorial page for Stella Mae Roberts McMahan (10 May 1914–Jun 1968), Find a Grave Memorial ID 117567771, citing Sherwood Chapel and Memorial Gardens, Alcoa, Blount County, Tennessee, USA; maintained by pcarney (contributor 47051010).
• Find a Grave, database and images (https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/26112077/margaret_lou-rhinehart: accessed August 23, 2025), memorial page for Margaret Lou Roberts Rhinehart (15 Feb 1897–11 Jun 1975), Find a Grave Memorial ID 26112077, citing Shiloh Memorial Cemetery, Pigeon Forge, Sevier County, Tennessee, USA; maintained by Michelle Hamlin Peterson (contributor 47364888).
• Find a Grave, database and images (https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/29451831/nancy_jane-roberts: accessed August 23, 2025), memorial page for Nancy Jane Clabough Roberts (25 Nov 1830–31 Dec 1912), Find a Grave Memorial ID 29451831, citing Roberts Cemetery, Richardson Cove, Sevier County, Tennessee, USA; maintained by icedobe (contributor 46868126).
• Find a Grave, database and images (https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/109543185/daniel_nathaniel-roberts: accessed August 23, 2025), memorial page for Daniel Nathaniel Roberts (9 Sep 1892–26 Oct 1965), Find a Grave Memorial ID 109543185, citing Roberts Cemetery, Richardson Cove, Sevier County, Tennessee, USA; maintained by Victor E. Everhart, PhD (contributor 47774451).
• Find a Grave, database and images (https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/117519537/rhoda_ellen-king: accessed August 23, 2025), memorial page for Rhoda Ellen Roberts King (21 Jan 1902–19 Jan 1945), Find a Grave Memorial ID 117519537, citing Roberts Cemetery, Richardson Cove, Sevier County, Tennessee, USA; maintained by pcarney (contributor 47051010).
• Find a Grave, database and images (https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/88474913/virgie_lee-roberts: accessed August 23, 2025), memorial page for Virgie Lee Roberts Roberts (12 Dec 1909–9 Oct 1997), Find a Grave Memorial ID 88474913, citing Middle Creek Cemetery, Sevierville, Sevier County, Tennessee, USA; maintained by Helen Collins (contributor 47660252).
• Find a Grave, database and images (https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/125246912/ray_cates-roberts: accessed August 23, 2025), memorial page for Ray Cates Roberts (10 May 1912–Sep 1980), Find a Grave Memorial ID 125246912, citing Grandview Cemetery, Maryville, Blount County, Tennessee, USA; maintained by Kimberly Jo Smith (contributor 47803638).
• James D. Rhinehart, The Knoxville News-Sentinel, Knoxville, Tennessee, January 31, 1971.
• James I. Roberts, Certificate of Death no. 63-34762, State of Tennessee, Department of Public Health, Division of Vital Statistics, December 1963.
• James I. Roberts, The Knoxville Journal, Knoxville, Tennessee, December 6, 1963.
• James Isaac Roberts, U.S., World War II Draft Cards Young Men, 1940–1947.
• James J. Roberts, The Knoxville Journal, Knoxville, Tennessee, November 26, 1957.
• John Earnest Roberts, D-478446, Tennessee, Delayed Birth Records, 1869–1909.
• Margaret L. Roberts, U.S., Social Security Applications and Claims Index, 1936–2007.
• Margaret Lou Roberts, no. D-478438, Tennessee, Delayed Birth Records, 1869–1909.
• Margaret Rhinehart, Social Security Death Index.
• Margaret Roberts Rhinehart, The Knoxville News-Sentinel, Knoxville, Tennessee, June 12, 1975.
• Mary Jane Roberts, D-485428, Tennessee, Delayed Birth Records, 1869–1909.
• Mostly About Seviervillians, Tri-County News, Sevierville, Tennessee, September 18, 1959.
• Mountain Home, Tennessee; https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mountain_Home,_Tennessee. 
• Mrs. Appie Ellen Roberts, Certificate of Death no. 13804, State of Tennessee, Department of Public Health, Division of Vital Statistics, October 1935.
• Mrs. Margerite Rhinehart, U.S., Army Transport Service, Passenger Lists, 1910–1939.
• Obituaries, Mrs. Clay McMahan, The Knoxville News-Sentinel, Knoxville, Tennessee, June 9, 1968.
• Rhoda King, Certificate of Death no. 3482, State of Tennessee, Department of Public Health, Division of Vital Statistics, January 1945.
• Rite of Matrimony, James Rhinehart and Margaret Roberts, July 1917.
• U.S. Federal Census, Civil District 4, Sevier County, Tennessee, 1910, 1920.
• U.S. Federal Census, Civil District 5, Sevier County, Tennessee, 1870, 1900.
• U.S. Federal Census, Sevierville, Sevier County, Tennessee, 1930, 1940, 1950.