Margot Kölle Walbert

Margot Kölle Walbert March 30, 1949 – July 3, 2026 There is no way to convey the big, beautiful life Margot lived. Margot was one of those people you never forgot. She was endlessly curious, funny, and full of life. She had a way of making everyone feel welcome, whether you had known her for years or had just met. Born in Potsdam and raised in Bremen, Germany, Margot carried a spirit of adventure from an early age. As a young woman, she moved to Alabama, where she built a life filled with family and friends. She later spent many years on Longboat Key, Florida, before returning home to Alabama. Throughout her life, she remained deeply connected to her family, friends, and roots in Germany, returning often to be with the people she loved. Travel was one of Margot's greatest joys. She explored the world—often on her own—with curiosity and confidence. Later, she and her husband, Frankie Edwards, continued exploring together. Music, art, and learning new things were simply part of who Margot was. She loved to sing, played the guitar, and was learning to play the saxophone. In the 1970s, she and her younger brother, Andreas (Andi), performed together in a folk music group in Bremen—a shared love of music that continued to connect them across the ocean throughout their lives. She painted, made jewelry, and created one-of-a-kind gifts for family and friends. Margot embraced each new chapter of her life. She taught school, sold real estate, and later earned a doctorate in Chinese Medicine before establishing a practice in acupuncture, Chinese medicine, and massage therapy. Along the way, she even spent a brief time as the weather girl and singer on Birmingham's Country Boy Eddy television show. The last 13 years she shared with Frankie were filled with love and laughter. They cherished their life on Smith Lake, where family and friends were welcome. There was music, good food, swimming in the lake, and pausing to watch the moon rise over the water. Margot especially enjoyed hiking through the woods to her little "she shed," where she painted with her beloved dogs at her side. Friends knew spring had arrived when Margot shared her annual "naked gardening" photo. Every birthday brought another tradition—a joyful bikini photo celebrating another year of life. Above all else, Margot loved people. She welcomed family by birth, by marriage, and by choice with warmth and generosity. To her grandchildren she was "Oma." She was generous with her time, talents, and love. One of her favorite expressions was In vino veritas. She believed life's best moments were spent around a table with good food, tasty wine, honest conversation, and the people she cared about most. On July 3, 2026, while enjoying a beautiful day swimming in Smith Lake with family, Margot died suddenly. Even after a lifetime of adventures, she was still looking forward to the next one. She and Frankie had more trips planned, more music to share, and more moonrises to watch. Margot is survived by her husband, Frankie Edwards; Ian Walbert (Rebekah) and daughter, Lola; Kirsten Kilchenstein (Chris) and children, Stella and Jack; Amanda Sims (Jeff) and son, Casey; Sam Edwards (Sara) and children, Ashlen and Reed; Jillian Alldredge (Bret) and children, Fitzjoseph and Loxley; brothers Hans-Dieter Kölle (Ingrid) and Andreas Kölle (Marianne) and their families; nephew Peter Kölle (Anja) and family; nephew Marc Höhlein and family; and many dear nieces, nephews, and friends in the United States, Germany, and around the world. The world has lost one of its most charismatic, joyful, and delightfully zany people. We were incredibly fortunate to call her ours. We will miss you beyond words, Margot. Thank you for showing us how to live—with curiosity, creativity, generosity, kindness, and love. We love you, now and always. In vino veritas. A Celebration of Life will be held on Sunday, August 2, 2026, from 2:00 to 5:00 p.m. at The Lodge at Stone Bridge Farms, 281 County Road 717, Cullman, Alabama 35055. Family and friends are warmly invited to join us as we gather to honor Margot's extraordinary life and share memories.

Margot Kölle Walbert

March 30, 1949 - July 3, 2026