Mary Frances White Furches

Mary Frances White Furches, a.k.a. Mary Todd, 44, wife of Richard Todd Furches of Mt. Pleasant, SC passed away on Tuesday, January 3, 2012 after a 3-1/2 year battle with breast cancer which had spread throughout her body.

Mary was born on January 20, 1967 in Charleston, SC, daughter of Denarda White and the late Gary Farrell White, a local shrimper for over 50 years, of McClellanville, SC. His boat was named "Daddy's Girl" and Mary was Daddy's girl. Mary loved the wonderful shrimping village of McClellanville and that village loved her. Mary and her family rode out Hurricane Hugo in 1989 in McClellanville, which took a direct hit from the Category 4 storm, on the roof of their home. But she had a wonderful and unique childhood, traveling the waters of the Southeastern Atlantic and Gulf of Mexico with her family while her father was thriving in the shrimp industry.

Mary attended and graduated the former Archibald Rutledge Academy in McClellanville; graduating third in her class of three. She then briefly attended the University of South Carolina before transferring and graduating from the College of Charleston with a Bachelors Degree. She returned to USC to acquire her teaching credentials and was currently working toward her Master's Degree at The Citadel. She worked as a teacher/administrator in the Charleston County School District for 14 years, spending many years in McClellanville at St. James-Santee Elementary School, along with McClellanville Middle School and Lincoln High School. The last 6 years she had been a 5th grade teacher a Pinckney Elementary School in Mt. Pleasant, a school and a job that she loved dearly. Her devotion to her students was unbelievable; her passion for excellence was undeterred; and her co-workers, particularly at Pinckney, were a source of friendship and support for her and her family that provided so much love and assistance that an unending debt of gratitude will forever be in the hearts of her loved ones.

Mary was a person who saw her dreams come true. She had a wonderful marriage, an incredible son, and a family that she loved so much and that loved her; a splendid home life which she enjoyed and had a talent for decorating and a great taste for comfort. Mary had a job that was fulfilling and rewarding and allowed her to touch the lives of countless children and others. The chance to travel the world and have adventures with her husband provided so many memories and sustained Mary with wonderful thoughts during her incredible battle against cancer. She got everything she ever wanted in life except longevity. Her radiance and presence were something that lit the lives of all who came in contact with her and we were all lucky to know her.

She is survived by her husband, WTMA talk show host Richard Todd Furches of Mt. Pleasant, SC; one son, Tyler Scott Furches,9, of Mt. Pleasant, SC; one sister, Joeanne Leake of Summerville, SC; three brothers, Gary Farrell White, Jr. of Mt. Pleasant, SC, Montgomery Scott White of Mt. Pleasant, SC and Cameron White of McClellanville, SC; and numerous aunts, uncles, nieces and nephews who loved her and will miss her everyday for the rest of their lives.

The relatives and friends of Mary Furches are invited to attend her Funeral Service on Saturday, January 7, 2012 in New Wappetaw Presbyterian Church, McClellanville at 12:00 noon. Burial will follow in the church cemetery. The family will receive friends and well-wishers at J. HENRY STUHR MOUNT PLEASANT CHAPEL on Friday, January 6, 2012 from 6:00 until 9:00 pm.

In lieu of flowers, memorials and donations may be made to the Mary Todd/Mary Furches Fund at any local Southcoast Community Bank location to help her 9 year old son have a great life in honor of his mother.

We love and miss Daddy's Girl.

Waiting for the time that I can finally say that this has all been wonderful but now I'm on my way.