Obituary of Maggie Nora Savage

On Saturday, January 16, 2016, the Lord sent his angels to bring Mother Maggie N. Savage to her heavenly home. Maggie Savage was born on December 25, 1926 to the late Daisy and Raleigh Brown in Windsor, North Carolina. She was the sixth child in a family of seven children. She was preceded in death by her siblings, Ira Cornelius, Endirila, George, Annie and Lucy. After her parents death when she was six years old, Maggie was raised by her cousin, Ms. Hattie Bond. There she helped raise Jordan Bond, Sr., Rosa, Celia-Mae and Buster. Maggie was educated in Bertie County Schools in Windsor, North Carolina. In 1947, Maggie met and later married David Collins Savage. She later moved to New York City and resided on 142nd Street in Harlem for many years. It was on 142nd Street where Maggie met and cherished the friendship of two life-long friends, Ms. Patricia Ward and the late Leola Jackson. Their three families loved out for each other on the block. Their families remain close to this day. Maggie was blessed to have two children, Ronald and Brenda by the late Jerry Lewis. She was delighted to gain another daughter when Ronald met and married Carol Fogle. Maggie enjoyed spending time with her grandchildren and great grandchildren throughout the years. Maggie was a woman with many interest and gifts. She worked at The Carriage House Hotel and at Mt. Sinai Hospital. Later, she pursued her dream of becoming a hairstylist and attended Apex Beauty School. After graduation, Maggie quickly developed her own clientele. Her customers enjoyed the time spent with her in the comforts of her home as much as their beautiful hairstyle. Maggie joined Mt. Calvary Baptist Church on May 14, 1978 under the late Rev. Monroe Wall on her Christian experience. She was an active member of the Pastor Aid Ministry and the North Carolina Club. Maggie shared her culinary arts shills with Mt. Calvary Baptist Church and became the church's top culinary arts specialist for over 25 years. She prepared food for the church's auxiliaries and special church events. Her favorite event was cooking for the Senior Citizens' Thanksgiving and Christmas luncheons. maggie also prepared breakfast and lunch for Rev. Roberts when he hosted meetings for the Harlem Congregations for Community Improvement at the church. She was well known in the neighborhood for her traditional Thanksgiving dinner of turkey, stuffing, collard greens, sweet potatoes and "home-made" rolls. She loved gospel music and was a member of the Gospel Chorus. She retired from the choir upon her appointment to the Mothers' Board on 2008 by Rev. Dr. Adolph Roberts. Mother Maggie was a very gentle, unselfish and spiritually filled mother that ruled with a strict hand, ensuring her children would not be led astray. She would always put her children's needs before her own. Often, she would go without while supporting her children to make sure they had what they needed. Mother Maggie's concern of others continued even during her illness. Whenever she was asked how she was feeling, she responded with a smile saying, "I'm fine, "how you doing baby, did you eat?" Her last days were spent in the loving care of her son and daughter-in-law in W. Berlin, NJ, and Carol's mother, Mertice Fogel. Let us not forget Avery, her great grandson who always made sure they were ok. Mother Maggie is survived by her children, Ronald (Carol) and Brenda; seven step children, Sandra, Norman, Jerry Jr., Rosina, Phillip, Sheila and Brian; her sister, Rosa Garris and an adopted daughter, Nurceal. Her legacy will be continued through her grandchildren, Keshia, Ronald Jr., Lakwanza and Matice, Vernon Mcqueen, LaDonya Davis, Corey and Loftland; great-grandchildren, Nydaisha, Kyaha, Avery and Amani; three godchildren, Donald Jackson, Shannon Ward, Michele Shannona; a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and friends, especially her best friend, Patricia Ward and the Jackson family.