The Three Miss Margarets by Louise Shaffer

Charles Valley is a small town outside of Atlanta, Georgia with all the stereotypes associated with the south.  Dr. Maggie, Li'l Bit, and Miss Peggy are separated by age but are connected by decades of friendship and a dark secret.  For years they have been highly regarded powerful doyennes of their small town - but each struggled with personal demons to get there.  Important to all of them is Lottie and her family.  Lottie was the daughter of a maid in Dr. Maggie's home when they were both young and racial differences didn't matter.  Their friendship is strained for a number of reasons but they continue to respect and care for each other.  Decades later, the death of Lottie's granddaughter causes them to look back on their lives, the decisions they made, and the secret they share.  Many issues to consider in their stories all placed in the context of how southern society works.