Nora Dean Padgett Mahaffey, retired registered nurse (RN) and native South Carolinian, passed away at the age of 85 on July 30, 2026, in Atlanta, Georgia. She was the wife of Dr. James P. Mahaffey, who preceded her in death earlier this year in January, following 64 years of marriage. They are now together once again.
Mrs. Mahaffey was born September 24, 1940, in Smoaks, South Carolina, daughter of the late Sheppard G. Padgett and Ora Pernell Crosby Padgett. Mrs. Mahaffey spent her early childhood years in Smoaks and Walterboro, SC. Following the death of her beloved mother and then her most wonderful grandmother, she went at the age of 8 to live at Connie Maxwell Children’s Home in Greenwood, SC, a special place and one that she fondly cherished and supported throughout her life.
Mrs. Mahaffey was very active in the Connie Maxwell Alumni Association and served as President of the Association from 2000 to 2002. She was appointed twice by the South Carolina Baptist Convention to the Connie Maxwell Board of Trustees, serving as President of the Board during one of those terms. Her involvement in and commitment to Connie Maxwell, along with that of her husband, never ceased, always supporting the ministries and needs of the children in the care of Connie Maxwell.
Following graduation from Greenwood High School in Greenwood, SC, she pursued her professional career plans and entered the nursing education program at Greenville General Hospital School of Nursing, graduating in 1961 after which she became a registered nurse. Her nursing career spanned 40 years, working in hospitals and doctors’ offices in the cities in SC where she and her husband lived. She retired from the Mary Black Hospital Family Practice in Spartanburg in 2001 as her husband retired from Wofford College. Later, she was a volunteer nurse at a medical clinic that provided care for persons with limited income.
Mrs. Mahaffey is survived by her daughter Janet M. Christenbury, and twin grandsons, Owen and Will Christenbury of Decatur, Georgia, a niece and several nephews, and many loving Connie Maxwell brothers and sisters. She was predeceased by brothers S.G. Padgett, Jr., Jarvis Padgett, Jimmy Padgett, William Padgett, Jack Padgett and her sister, Jeanette P. Benson.
Mrs. Mahaffey, along with her husband, was very active in the children’s ministries in the various Baptist churches where she was a member. She was a longtime member of the First Baptist Church of Conway, SC. During her late retirement years, she attended Oak Grove United Methodist Church in Decatur, GA with Janet and her family.
A memorial service will be held on Tuesday, August 11 at Mackey Funerals and Cremations at Woodlawn Memorial Park, 1 Pine Knoll Drive, Greenville, SC, 29609. Visitation begins at 11 a.m. and the funeral service will be held at Noon in Mackey Funeral Home chapel. Interment will follow at 1 p.m. in the Woodlawn Memorial Park.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be sent to Connie Maxwell Children’s Ministries at 810 Maxwell Avenue, Greenwood, SC 29648 or by accessing the link provided below.
