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Obituary and life story submitted by the family

M

ary Watson Duffie, age 87, died peacefully Saturday, November 22, 2025. Mary was a sweet, kind, loving, and devoted wife, mother, mother-in-law, Nana, sister, sister-in-law, aunt, teacher, musician and friend. She will be missed by all who had the good fortune to know her.

Mary was the best example of kindness and grace. She made everyone feel loved and special. She found joy in all she did, and that joy was contagious to anyone around her. Mary faced every challenge in life with grace and courage, teaching those that true strength comes from within and anything can be overcome with a positive spirit and loving heart. She loved life and lived it to the fullest.

Born in Florence, SC, Mary was the daughter of the late Thomas Coburn Watson, Sr. and Myra Steadman Watson. She graduated from McClenaghan High School. She attended Columbia College for two years, then transferred to the University of North Carolina where she finished her degree in Education. While in college she was introduced to George Summers Duffie, Jr. who became the love of her life. George passed suddenly in 2011 and not a day went by that Mary did not miss him dearly.

Throughout their wonderful 53 year-long marriage, she and George lived in many different cities across the state. She spent the majority of her teaching career at Fulmer Middle School in West Columbia, and treasured the life-long friendships with her fellow Falcons. For the remainder of her career, she held various teaching positions in Mt. Pleasant and Greenville, SC. Her passion for teaching was evident in her love for her work and all her students. Throughout her life-time, former students always recalled her being one of their favorite teachers.

Mary & George Duffie, at a winter dance, 1956.

Mary was a talented singer, pianist, organist, and accordion player. She often played organ or piano in churches where George served as minister. She enjoyed a life-long passion for music, and was an active member of various choirs and chorales. She and George were avid sailors, and were former members of Lake Murray Sailing Club and the Sailing Club of Oriental. She also enjoyed traveling, playing cards, crafting, and cooking.

In 1998, Mary and her beloved George retired to live in Oriental, NC. They embraced their retirement there, and touched the lives of many. It became the “little slice of Heaven” for them and their entire family. She built unwavering friendships with her Oriental community, which she fondly remembered and cherished for the remainder of her days. They rallied around her after George’s death, and helped her live in Oriental as long as she was able. They will miss seeing Mrs. Mary having coffee at The Bean or sitting on the front porch greeting those that walk or bike by.

Mary & George’s sailboat: the Merry Mary.

Mary is survived by her three children, Summers (Sharon), Luther (Gena), and Alyson (Jeff) Price; grandchildren Brittany (Blake) Allen, Austin (Cat) Price, Christina (Andrew) Oody, Traywick (Katelynn) Duffie, Kathryn Duffie (Dexter), Audrey Duffie, George Duffie, III (Shelby), and Sam Duffie; great grandchildren Jack and Hudson Allen, Chandler Oody, Dawson and Warren Duffie; brother, Wallace (Shannon) Watson; sister-in-law, Sandie Griffeth, brother-in-law Traywick (Carol) Duffie and many special nieces and nephews.

In addition to her parents, Mary was predeceased by her brother Thomas Coburn Watson, Jr., and brother-in-law Ronnie Griffeth.

Special thanks to her caregivers in the Saluda neighborhood at Still Hopes, and the Prisma Hospice staff. Your care for Mrs. Mary was extraordinary and much appreciated. She was treated with love, dignity, and respect, and the staff always worked to make sure she was happy and comfortable.

Honeymooners George & Mary Duffie.

A Celebration of Life service will be held Saturday, December 6, 2025, at 1p at Mt. Hebron UMC, 3050 Leaphart Road, West Columbia, SC. Visitation will be prior to the service at 11a in the Mt. Hebron UMC Family Life Center.

Memorial gifts may be made to Mt. Hebron UMC, 3050 Leaphart Road, West Columbia, SC 29169 or Oriental UMC, 404 Freemason Street, Oriental, NC 28571. Barr-Price Funeral Home and Crematorium, Lexington Chapel is assisting the family.

Related Links

• George Duffie, 1935-2011

Posted Friday December 5, 2025 by Allison DeWeese