Maggie (Dunston) Kiah

Maggie Dunston Kiah transitioned to eternal rest on Thursday, January 11, 2018 at her home in Bracey, VA.  She was born on September 6, 1922 to the late John Wesley and Emma Green Dunston as the 5th of their 10 children in Warren County, North Carolina.

Beginning her education in the Warren County Public School System of North Carolina, she  continued her studies to earn her Bachelor’s degree from Howard University and her Master's degree in Nutrition from New York University.  She was employed as a dietitian at Beth Israel Hospital in Brooklyn, New York, and later as chief dietitian at Cumberland Hospital in Brooklyn. Upon being certified in teacher education, she taught nutrition in the New York City Public School System until her retirement  in 1977 when she relocated to the Lake Gaston area of Bracey, VA and continued working as a supervisor in the WIC program at the Warren County Department of Public Health.

Married to Donalson Simpson for many years until his death in 1961, she later married the Rev. McQuay Kiah, a union which was maintained and celebrated until  his passing in 1985.

During her long residency of New York, Maggie was an active and faithful member of the Newman United Methodist Church in Brooklyn, serving on many boards and in many leadership roles. Later, as a resident of Bracey,  she joined the South Hill United Methodist Church of South Hill, VA and also supported and attended the church of her childhood home, the Locust Grove Baptist Church in Wise, NC.  She was a devout servant of the Lord.  Each morning at her home was declared devotion time when she would pray and then read and bookmark her Bible.

Always civic-minded, Maggie was also involved in a number of community activities.  She was a member and officer of The Links, Inc.; a member of the United Country Club, Inc.;  a member of the Les Gemmes ;  and  a long standing member and Treasurer of both the Mecklenburg County NAACP and the WCTS-NWHS Alumni and Friends Association, Inc.   

“Aunt Maggie” as she was affectionately known to family and friends alike,  loved to cook and entertain.  She was a DIVA in her own right, “dressing up” each day with makeup and the latest fashion trend.  She was a classy lady who loved to shop and wear glittering and sparkling clothes.  Her closets consist of endless outfits and shoes, many of which she's never worn. She also enjoyed socializing, and with her beloved sister-in-law, the late Thelma Dunston, she spent many evenings dancing the night away at the United Country Club, Inc.

She was predeceased by five brothers:  John Wesley, Edward Douglas, Eugene, Ollie, and Clarence Dunston;   her eldest sister, Lucy D. Coleman and her younger sister, Effie D. Wilson.   She is survived by two sisters, Emma Lea Beshir and Elizabeth D. Baskerville; one special nephew and caregiver, Dr. Eugene Baskerville; Goddaughter Doretta Dorset Dingle and a host of caring nieces, nephews, and friends.