Annie Margie Farmer, the third daughter of Theron Clyde Farmer, Sr, and Anna Odessa Griffin Farmer, was born in Greer, SC on August 24, 1933. Until her younger brother was born, her father would sing “This Little Boy of Mine” to her every night. Even as a child she was known for her feisty temper and her inability put up with being bossed around by her siblings. One of her fondest memories was throwing a dishpan of water over the outhouse door onto her oldest sister who would retreat there after dinner every night to not wash dishes.
In 1952, Margie graduated from Greer High School and moved to the big city of Greenville into her own apartment with a roommate, Betty Jean. Not long after, Betty Jean and her boyfriend introduced Margie to a big-eared young man that would become increasingly important to her as the years passed. On March 12, 1954, Margie married James Edwin Aughtry, Jr at Concord United Methodist Church in Greer. Margie and Jimmy moved to Gaffney, SC in 1956 and spent the better part of the next 64 years working and raising a family in Gaffney. Until moving to Columbia to be closer to family in 2020, Margie and Jimmy were active members of Buford Street United Methodist Church. The Sprouse Sunday School class was such an important part of their life at Buford Street for their entire 60 years in the church. Margie also served on many committees, usually in a monetary or treasury position, but most enjoyed serving many a Wednesday night supper with the Cooking Team.
After moving to Gaffney, Margie started working at The Bank of Gaffney as a teller and over the next 40 years worked her way through being a Teller, Head Teller, Assistant Cashier, Loan Officer, Branch Manager to finally being named as a Vice President for Wachovia Bank in Gaffney. She fought long and hard for women to be accorded equal rights and to be treated fairly in business. 1996-97 was a pivotal time for Margie that found her retiring from the Bank and beginning a second career working part-time for Hartzog’s Jewelers. One of her biggest joys in both jobs were the relationships she had with her co-workers and the ones made with customers throughout the years. Many of her customers from the teller window would not go to another teller if Margie was on vacation, choosing to wait until she returned to complete their banking. Many customers would come to Hartzog’s specifically on Monday through
Wednesday morning just to be helped by her. She retired from Hartzog’s in 2017 after spending an additional 20 years working after her first retirement.
In 1989, she began the job she loved the most: that of Nana. With the birth of her first grandchild, Margie found her true calling. No grandchild could ever do anything wrong. Christmas was always over the top, and favorite foods were always on the menu. The snack drawer was always full and at the correct height for any little “angel” to be able to access.
She was known for holding people to high standards; Shyness about speaking directly to persons in power about things that not being done correctly or ethically was not in her makeup. Her three children were very aware of the importance that was placed on education, honesty, and family. Each was held accountable for their actions, but woe be to the teacher or leader that didn’t treat them honestly or fairly.
When you were loved by Margie, it was deep, real, and without limitations. Unfortunately, her last few years were spent fighting Alzheimer’s disease/dementia, a battle that would claim her mother and siblings. The one person she never forgot was her Jimmy. Even to the end, her eyes would light up when
he would enter the room. In the 3 ½ years that she spent living in Memory Care, Jimmy devotedly brought his little “Snack Bar” to her every day that he could. She loved her chocolate cookies, her snack mix, and her Pepsi until the end.
Margie is survived by her husband of 70 years, James Edwin Aughtry, Jr and her three children, Ann Aughtry Holland (Chuck), James Edwin “Bubba” Aughtry (Holly) and Robert Edward Aughtry (Andrew Jenkins).
She is also survived by her grandchildren, Ansley Aughtry Smith, William Lloyd Smith III (Rebecca), Addison Neil Aughtry, Abigail Holland Payne (Fiona), Grace Holland, 6 nieces and nephews and 10 great nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by parents, Clyde and Odessa; three siblings: Geraldine Farmer Butler, Billy Jean Farmer Grant, Theron Clyde Farmer, Jr; in-laws: Margaret Wilson Aughtry, Ida Elmyra Aughtry Jenkins, and Harry Jenkins; and three nephews: Kenneth Grant, John Grant and Ronald Grant.
Celebration of Life will be held 2:00 pm on Saturday, May 11, 2024 at Buford Street Methodist Church in Gaffney. Visitation will be from 1:00 pm -1:45 pm. Private family interment will take place at Wood Cemetery in Duncan at a later date.
Honorary pallbearers will be her surviving nieces and nephews: Terry Grant, Pamela Grant, Derek Farmer, Christopher Farmer, Jane Jenkins Wells, and Jimmy Jenkins and the members of the Sprouse Sunday School Class of Buford Street Methodist Church.
In lieu of flowers, donations to the Alzheimer's Foundation of America will be greatly appreciated. ALZFDN.org; Tribute gift in memory of Margie Aughtry.
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