Maggie Jane Reasoner

Maggie Jane Orr Nix Reasoner was born July 4, 1918 in Brevard, North Carolina to the late Gurley and Julia Orr. She entered into eternal rest on Saturday, January 24, 2015 after an extended illness. At the time of her death she was a resident of National Health Care at Parklane, located in Columbia, South Carolina. She was educated in the public schools of Transylvania County, North Carolina. Her life career was focused around service to others. In her early years, she was employed by the Basso family who resided in Connecticut and Arizona. After her marriage to Mr. Samuel Nix, she returned to the south. Upon Mr. Nix’s recuperation from serious wounds received in World War II, they joined the staff of Harbison Junior College, Irmo, South Carolina. She later accompanied her husband when he joined the staff at Boggs Academy in Keysville, Georgia. Relocating to the Columbia area, Mrs. Reasoner joined the staff of The Office of Economic Opportunity for the midlands area. She was supervisor of the dining services and Coordinator of Special Events at Benedict College for many years. She also served as a receptionist for the Broadwater & Associates Law Firm, Columbia, South Carolina. Mrs. Reasoner was an organizing member of Northminster Presbyterian Church, USA, where she served faithfully from 1968 until her health began to fail a few years ago. As a faithful church member, she was elected by the congregation and ordained an Elder and a Deacon. Mrs. Reasoner was the Moderator of the first Deacon Board of Northminster. Mrs. Reasoner chaired: the first Courtesy Committee; the first Usher Board; the first Board of Directors of the Northminster Early Childhood Development Center; and was Moderator of Presbyterian Women of Northminster and served as Moderator of Fairfield-McClelland Presbyterial. After the death of her long-time husband, Mr. Samuel Nix, Jane continued her involvement in numerous activities in the community and at church. Jane enjoyed crocheting, playing bridge, reading and setting the standard for the proper attire for the occasion. She also found time to be active in her community association. Years later Jane married Alfred Reasoner. Their lives were spent in Connecticut during the summer and enjoyed the winter season in Columbia, South Carolina. Their final years together were spent in Columbia, SC. Jane fondly remembered the years spent between cities and all the travels they enjoyed. Mrs. Reasoner was preceded in death by her four siblings: Clifford Mooney; Barto Orr; Odessa Orr Tolbert and Gertrude Orr Smith. She is survived by: nieces Julia (Robert) Smith Giles, Yeadon, PA and Erline Hall, Detroit, MI; nephews Raymond (Patty) Smith and Darrell Smith, Philadelphia, PA; Reverend Frank (Rose) Tolbert, Lansdale, PA; grand-nephews Zakee and Zaahir Smith and grand-niece Parker Smith, all of Philadelphia, PA. Additional survivors include in-laws: sister-in-law, Zaidee (Walter) Reasoner Morris, nephew Walter Morris, Jr. and niece Beverly Ione (Manny) Morris Zepeta; nephew Dr. John Reasoner; great nephew Brian (Nadine) Garrett and children Saree and Victor, and niece Deborah Corbett. Other survivors include cousins Janie Lynch of Brevard, NC and Rose McKee, NY and a host of other relatives and friends.

Maggie Jane Reasoner

July 17, 1918 - January 24, 2015