Deborah Bales Magill

Born on August 1, 1956 at Fort Jackson, she was the daughter of Jimmy Bales and the late Violet Jo Bales. She obtained her Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees from the University of South Carolina and was a teacher and school counselor in the Fort Jackson school system for 38 years until her retirement four years ago.

In high school and college, Debbie was a skilled baton twirler and won multiple state championships. She represented South Carolina in national competitions on several occasions and led the USC marching band on to the football field. She was also an avid skier, both on snow and water.

She loved teaching the children and also formed close friendships with some of the other teachers at the school. She treasured their annual weeks at the beach in Pawley’s Island. In recent years, she fulfilled a lifelong dream and traveled extensively with her husband, John, visiting many places in North America, Central America and South America, as well as numerous European countries and China.

She was a devoted Nana to her grandchildren and lavished them with love and attention.

Debbie is survived by her father, Representative Jimmy Bales and stepmother, Lynn Bales; her husband, John Magill; brother, Richard Bales (Beth); stepbrothers, Kevin and Kris Smith; stepsister, Kristen Bales; daughters, Bobbie Wofford-Kanwat (CP) and Charla Wofford (Stew); stepdaughters, Katharine Magill, Sara Dayton (Andy), and Lindsay Magill; and grandchildren, Ram and Jaya Kanwat and Georgia and Savannah Methe; as well as numerous uncles, aunts and many close friends. Her warm personality and infectious laugh will be greatly missed by all, and her strength and fighting spirit, inherited from her mother, lives on in her daughters.

A funeral service will be held at Eastminster Presbyterian Church, 3200 Trenholm Rd, Columbia, on Saturday, June 9, 2018 at 11:00 a.m. In addition, the family will receive friends on Friday, June 8, 2018 from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. at Dunbar Funeral Home, 3926 Devine St, Columbia. Private burial at Greenlawn Memorial Park will follow the funeral service.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made in Debbie’s name to the Sjogren’s Syndrome Foundation, 10701 Parkridge Blvd, suite 170, Reston, VA 20191 (www.sjogrens.org).

Memories may be shared at www.dunbarfunerals.com.