A very nice and respected former state rep is no longer with us.
Former North Carolina State Representative Margaret “Maggie” Jeffus-Goltare, age 90, passed away on Saturday, Aug. 9 at Brookdale Assisted Living in Burlington.
She was a longtime Greensboro resident, a highly respected educator and a Democratic member of the North Carolina House of Representatives for 10 terms between 1991 and 2013.
Jeffus-Goltare was born in October 1934 in Roanoke, Virginia. After moving to the Greensboro area, she earned a BA from Guilford College and a master’s in education from the University of North Carolina at Greensboro – where she received the Charles Duncan McIver Award. That award is given out by the college to North Carolinians who have delivered exceptionally distinguished public service in the state or beyond.
She spent more than 30 years as an educator in Greensboro schools, earning numerous local, state and national honors – including National Teacher of the Year.
Jeffus-Goltare also served as a delegate to the 1984 Democratic National Convention.
Her civic and political work was matched by her active membership at Starmount Presbyterian Church, where she sang in the choir – as well as by her love of music and travel, especially cruising.
Her funeral service will be held at 10 a.m. Friday, Aug. 15 at Forbis & Dick Guilford Chapel, with a reception immediately following.
The burial will be private.
Former Republican State Representative Jon Hardister, who succeeded Jeffus-Goltare in the NC House and now heads up TREBIC, said he was very saddened to hear of her death.
“She was a very, very nice lady and cared deeply about the community,” he told the Rhino Times this week. “When I succeeded her, it was an open seat because she had opted not to run for reelection. I reached out, and although I hadn’t spoken to her in years, she graciously met for coffee. She gave me advice I’ll never forget.”
Hardister said her words of guidance have stayed with him: “She told me, ‘Put your constituents first. Follow your conscience. Do your best to work with everyone. Stay in touch with the people you represent. Do your job in Raleigh, but don’t forget the people back home.’”
“Her advice was solid and heartfelt,” he remembered.
He added that, even though they were from different political parties, she treated people with respect regardless of political differences.
“That’s a great characteristic, and something essential in leadership,” Hardister said. “When I heard of her passing, I felt very sad. I’ll always have fond memories of her.”
Others who knew her describe a woman who combined dedication, integrity and personal kindness in every role in life she took on, and who never lost sight of the constituents and others she served.
