Margie Haynes Sexton

Margie Haynes Sexton, 96, died October 4, 2024 in Mt. Pleasant, SC. She was born on May 2, 1928 to Barney, Sr. and Irene (Lucas) Haynes of Pacolet, South Carolina, though her first name failed to get officially registered at the Spartanburg County clerk’s office. Barney and Irene named their third daughter and the youngest of their seven children, Grace Irene Haynes, but their twelve-year-old daughter Sally started fondly referring to her new baby sister as “Margie” - likely after a song, “My Little Margie” which was popular in the 1920’s. The name stuck and was officially added to her birth certificate almost two decades later, and Sally and her younger sister Margie remained especially close throughout their lives.

After graduating from Spartanburg High School, Margie earned an AA degree at Winthrop College in Rock Hill, South Carolina before marrying her husband of 72 years, James Henry Sexton of Spartanburg in 1947. In 1956, she and Jim moved with their two children, Jimmy and Sally, to the Isle of Palms where they resided until moving to Franke at Seaside in Mt. Pleasant in 2017. Jim and Marge were both active members of First United Methodist Church on I.O.P., where both served in many capacities, both sang in the choir and where Margie played the organ.

Marge Sexton also had a distinguished professional career, serving in various administrative capacities with Ft. Bragg Army Base in Columbus, GA, the U.S. Marshal’s Service in downtown Charleston, SC, the U.S. Army Transportation Depot on North Charleston Navy base, before joining in early days the growing team of the Island Beach and Racquet Club (Wild Dunes). Starting with supervisory responsibilities with the tennis club in the late 1970’s, Margie eventually spent many years coordinating the Wild Dunes Members Club and its many activities, before “retiring” and joining Wild Dunes Real Estate as an agent and broker until the age of 90. Many times it could be heard across the Island and the Resort, throughout these rewarding years, that “Margie knows everybody!”

Marge Sexton is survived by her children, James H. Sexton, DMD, and his wife, Denise of Awendaw, SC, her daughter Sara K. (Sally) Sexton, Psy.D, and her husband Rev. Brad Gustafson of Mt. Pleasant, two granddaughters, Katie Sexton Ratliff (Jason) of Mt. Pleasant and Allison Sexton of Charleston. She is also survived by two great grandchildren, Bowen and Watt Ratliff, her brother-in-law Joel Sexton of Newberry, SC, along with numerous nieces and nephews. 

All are welcomed to a service of celebration and memory scheduled at 11 a.m. on Monday, October 14 in the Rodenberg Chapel of Franke Lutheran Homes,1885 Rifle Range Road in Mt Pleasant, with reception following in the Burges Center. Arrangements by J. Henry Stuhr, Inc. Mount Pleasant Chapel. 

For anyone wishing to make a contribution in Marge’s memory, the family requests that East Cooper Community Outreach (ECCO) be considered, as it became one of Jim and Marge’s favorite charities following the devastating 1989 hurricane, Hugo.

A memorial message may be sent to the family by visiting our website at www.jhenrystuhr.com.

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