Augusta, GA---Eleanora Nixon Hoernle, Augusta native and former Richmond County school teacher, passed away on Thursday, September 20, 2012, in Savannah, GA, at the age of 81.
She was born on January 13, 1931, in Augusta, GA, to Gwinn Huxley Nixon and Nora Fortson Nixon.
She was a graduate of Tubman High School and received a B.A. in classics from Radcliffe College (now part of Harvard University). She also completed coursework at Augusta State University, Georgia State University, and the Goethe Institute, among others.
A teacher by profession, Eleanora was a lifelong student who valued education and learning above all else. She taught at a number of schools in Augusta, including Houghton Elementary, Wheeless Road Elementary, Ursula Collins Elementary, and Richmond Academy, where she taught Latin, German, English, and World History. An avid music lover, she served as Props Mistress with the Augusta Opera for 16 years.
Eleanora is survived by her husband, Hans Rainer Hoernle of Stuttgart, Germany; children Eliza Huxley Hoernle (Claudio Robles), Kaj Alexander Hoernle (Teresa Aydelotte), Nils Rainer Hoernle (Bettina Chiaravelotti), and Katharina Helene Hoernle (Zig Jackson); grandchildren Claudio Jr. and Olivia Robles; Nico, Lars, and Erik Hoernle; Antonia and Juliana Hoernle; and Seaborn and Heron Jackson; sister Sally Nixon Hand (Cal Thornton); brothers Gwinn Huxley Nixon Jr. (former spouse, Vicky), Nelson Alexander Nixon (Markie), and John Maddox Nixon (Karyn); and many nieces, nephews, and cousins.
A memorial graveside service will be held on Saturday, October 27, 2012, at 2:00 pm at Summerville Cemetery in Augusta, GA.
The family will hold a visitation on Friday, October 26, 2012 from 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm, at 951 Heard Avenue, Augusta, GA.
In lieu of flowers, please make contributions to Georgia Public Broadcasting (260 14th St. NW, Atlanta, GA 30318), ETV Endowment of South Carolina (1101 George Rogers Blvd., Columbia, SC 29201-4761), St. Joseph’s Indian School (1301 N Main St., Chamberlain, SD 57325), Augusta Historical Society (2500 Walton Way, Augusta, GA 30904), or the Southern Poverty Law Center (400 Washington Ave., Montgomery, AL 36104).