Mary Lorena Gatch Motley, 75, of Charleston, South Carolina, wife of William D. Motley Jr., entered into eternal rest Sunday, November 30, 2025.

Her funeral service will be held December 20, 2025, at St. John’s Lutheran Church, 5 Clifford Street, at 11:00 AM. A private interment will be held at a later date.

Visitation will be held on Friday, December 19, 2025, from 3 to 5 PM at J. Henry Stuhr Funeral Home 232 Calhoun St, Charleston, SC.

Mary and Bill have two daughters, Dana Katherine Motley and Joi Adrian Motley and her husband, Sasa Matijevic, of Chicago, Illinois.

Mary and Bill pursued a wonderful life together as they moved for new opportunities and learned about the people and places they resided. They supported each other in the development of their careers and were accomplished in their ventures together. Mary was an educator and scholar. She completed graduate school at Wright State University in Dayton, Ohio, and Texas Women’s University for postgraduate work. While in Oakville, Ontario, Canada, Mary was awarded a scholarship at the University of Toronto and received her doctoral degree in psychology. Mary was well regarded as a special education teacher in the early years of her career. She advanced into serving as a diagnostician in helping special children and their families with developmental support and access to educational and therapeutic resources. Later, she became a school psychologist and was well regarded in the school systems where she served. Mary was a member of the National Association of School Psychologists.

Mary enjoyed gardening, cooking, theater, antiquing, and traveling. In addition to spending time with family and friends, Mary enjoyed her many smiles with her Havanese dog, Ellie. The puppy was a 51st anniversary gift from Bill to Mary and she was a true bearer of healthy blessings. As well as being a lifelong learner, Mary loved to entertain and invite friends and neighbors into their home within their community of Wappoo Heights.

Mary had a special gift of touching those that she engaged with. She was a sweetheart with a genuine and wonderful personality.

In addition to her husband of 53 years, and her daughters and her son-in-law, Mary is survived by her beloved mother-in-law, Doris S. Motley, 95, who lives in Mount Pleasant, sisters-in-law Dana E. Motley, Suzanne Motley (Bert Motley), and Jeanny Motley Meetze, as well as Jeanny's husband Jack Meetze of Charleston, South Carolina, and their children. Mary is also survived by her younger brother, David O. Gatch, in Clarey, Alabama, and his family, and her beloved cousin, Linda Dean and her family, as well as the children of her older brother Judson Gatch, Jr. She will be missed by all of those who were touched by her love, friendship and grace.

She was preceded in death by her brother, Judson Gatch Jr.

In lieu of flowers, the family kindly requests that donations be made to St. John’s Lutheran Church, Charleston, South Carolina, 5 Clifford Street, 29401

May God’s blessings follow each and every one of you for the days ahead.