Jacqueline "Jackie" Way Connor

Jacqueline Way Connor, 99, passed away peacefully on Friday, Nov. 15 surrounded by her family at her country home near Eutaw Springs.

She was widowed to the late Honorable Fred Connor Jr., a multi-term member of the S.C. House of Representatives.

She was often known for her chicken salad sandwiches cut into perfect triangles – without crusts. Some of her other specialties included legendary caramel cakes, elegant wedding cakes and cheese straws.

She was lovingly called “Jackie,” “Nana,” “Aunt Jackie” and even “Miss Nana” on one occasion.

Nana was born Sept. 23, 1925, in Holly Hill, to the late Lawrence “Lonnie” Olin Way Sr. and Elois Breeland Way.

She was the oldest sibling to the late Juanita Way Rhame (Wilton Henry Rhame Jr.) and Lawrence Olin Way Jr. (Jo-Ann Avinger Way), also of Holly Hill.

Nana was a 1942 graduate of Holly Hill High School and attended Winthrop College, now known as Winthrop University.

She and Granddaddy Fred married in 1947. They were married 27 years when Grandaddy Fred died suddenly at age 50 on Dec. 19, 1974.

Nana was a leader throughout her life.

From responsibilities as a big sister to Juanita and Lawrence to playing high school basketball to faithful involvement in church and civic organizations, Nana’s guidance and friendships were steady and loyal.

She was a long-time officer in the Jasmine Book Club and Ivy Garden Club, both were in Holly Hill.

Nana owned and operated “Jackie’s Young Fashions” in Holly Hill from 1966 until 1970.

She hosted countless bridge parties, baby showers, bridal showers, wedding showers and catered numerous wedding receptions.

Nana had a natural knack for flower arranging.

She was reared as a member of First Baptist Church of Holly Hill but joined Bethlehem Southern Methodist Church, Holly Hill, when she married.

Until her health began to decline, Nana was active at Bethlehem Southern Methodist Church and the Southern Methodist Women’s Missionary Society.

Nana is survived by children: Fred Connor III (Delane “Deane” Bunch Connor), of Eutawville; Rosalyn Elois Connor Brown (Walter Keith Brown), of Duluth, Ga.; Thomas Lawton Connor (Dareen Bell Connor), of the home; and James Lawrence “Lonnie” Connor (Jeannette Inserni), of Marietta, Ga. and best friend Daisy Waring, of Eutawville.

She’s also survived by her doting grandchildren: Martha Rose Brown, of the home; Mary Elizabeth “Mary Beth” Brown Brannan (Cass Brannan) of Cumming, Ga.; Constance Juanita Connor Maharrey (William Patrick Maharrey) of Eutawville; Frederick William Connor, Waynesboro, Ga.; Kathryn Way Connor, of Eutawville and Lawton Rutledge Connor II (Paige Collins Connor), of Columbia.

She adored her great-grandchildren: Caden, Calder, Reagan, Bates, Briggs, Baylor, Brighton, Vivian, Sophie, L.R. and another on the way.

Nana’s visitation and funeral are both scheduled for Tuesday, Nov. 19 at Bethlehem Southern Methodist Church, 229 Bethlehem Road, Holly Hill.

The family will receive friends at 1 p.m. in the church sanctuary; funeral will follow at 2 p.m.

Burial will take place immediately after in the church’s cemetery.

Memorials may be made to Bethlehem Southern Methodist Church, PO Box 595, Eutawville, SC 29048.

Expressions of sympathy may be viewed or submitted online at avingerfh.com/.

The family has entrusted Avinger Funeral Home for Nana’s arrangements.