Orline Zagger

Consummate teacher, beloved mother and grandmother, Orline Smith Zagger died June 17, 2014, following a very brief illness. Mrs. Zagger was pre-deceased by her husband of 51 years, Harry, whom she met at a dance at the USO in Meridian, Mississippi. She is survived by her beloved family: Daughter, Ginger Zagger Anderson of Winter Park, Florida; son, Harry Jr., of Canton, Georgia; daughter-in-law, Cynthia Edge Zagger; and four grandchildren – Jack T. Anderson III, Grace Smith Anderson, Harry Manuel Zagger III, and Leanna Zagger Williams. Mrs. Zagger was the epitome of a southern gentlewoman. A lady before her time, she lettered in tennis at the University of Southern Mississippi while pursuing her undergraduate degree in education. In addition to her collegiate tennis career, Mrs. Zagger excelled in basketball and swimming. She adored a good book or play, and indulged her penchant for acting at the Meridian Little Theatre in Mississippi. During WWII Mrs. Zagger worked as a lab technician in a Veteran’s Administration hospital in Pittsburgh, Pa., and at Pam American Oil Refinery in Texas City, Texas. Prior to obtaining her Masters degree, Mrs. Zagger taught Chemistry at Savannah, H.S., where she was named Teacher of the Year, and was the first woman instructor offered a position at the Benedictine Academy, an all-male parochial school in Savannah, Ga. Affectionately referred to as “Mrs. Z,” her students excelled in their studies, competing in national science competitions and scoring in the top percentile on national college entrance exams. She earned her master’s degree in math with a minor in chemistry in 1966. Mrs. Zagger moved to Linden, Alabama in 1958, “following her husband’s commitments,” and became an active member of the Linden Presbyterian Church, the Study Club and Music Club. Mrs. Zagger taught math and science at Linden High School from 1958 to 1967, and John T. Morgan Academy in Selma, Alabama from 1967 to 1977 before returning to Linden, where she completed her career at Marengo Academy in 1980. Following her retirement, Mrs. Zagger traveled the world with her husband. The couple moved to Winter Park, Florida in 1994 where Mrs. Zagger hosted countless pool parties for neighborhood children and families and played as much bridge as possible until age 95. She was involved in church activities and a supporter of the Greater Orlando Chapter of Young Life.