A native of Bloomfield, Iowa, Mrs. Bair was a daughter of the late Arthur Woodrow Harper and Edna Mae Followwill Harper. Raised in Decatur, Illinois, she studied ballet as a teenager and then again in her late forties. She worked to put her husband Jim through medical school in Chicago and Columbus, Ohio. Having enjoyed cold Iowa and Illinois winters all her life, she raised her family in Scottsdale, Arizona. As empty nesters she and Jim specifically chose to move to South Carolina to enjoy the South and be closer to grandchildren.
The church and her love for Jesus Christ, her Lord and Savior, was the most important thing in her life. She came to know Christ in the Christian Reformed Church as a young mother in Columbus, Ohio and it was her life's passion from then on. Among many Bible Study and evangelism efforts, she led or was actively involved in weekly Ladies Bible Study at every church of which she was a member, both in Arizona and South Carolina. After moving to Athens she joined Redeemer Presbyterian Church where she was a faithful attender of Sunday School and Redeemer's Seniors Bible Study. She was an avid student of the Reformed Faith all her adult life, even until very recently, and actively read and studied Reformed theologians old and new.
As a transplanted Midwesterner, even before moving here later in life, she loved the South and its history. She particularly loved the Carolina coast and spending time on the beach, especially with grandchildren. She took joy in caring for her family, even in times of great difficulty, and was known to almost always have a smile and a kind word for all those whom the Lord brought across her path.
Mrs. Bair was preceded in death by her husband, Dr. James R. Bair, and her youngest son, Brad Bair.
She is survived by her daughter, Diane Lewis (Steven) of New York, NY and son, Todd Bair (Laura) of Athens, GA; brothers Terry Harper (Nancy) of Effingham, IL and Jim Harper (Jan) of Decatur, IL; her late brother Jerry's wife and sister-in-law Diane Harper of Scottsdale, AZ; nine grandchildren; nine great-grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews.
A memorial service will be held Thursday, September 5 at 11 a.m. at Redeemer Presbyterian Church with Rev. Hal Farnsworth officiating. Burial was private.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Redeemer Presbyterian Church Missions Fund.
Online condolences may be offered at www.BernsteinFuneralHome.com.
Bernstein Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
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