Ms. Mary "Lois" D. Gunter Darby

Sunrise for Mary Deloris Gunter Darby, affectionately known as “Lois,” began June 10, 1949 in Columbia, South Carolina. She was the sixth child of the late Pete and Mary Williams Gunter. Her sunset was on Friday, December 6, 2019.

Mary attended the public schools of Richland County. She was a member of Zion Pilgrim Baptist Church where she served faithfully on the Jubilee Choir and on the Pastor’s Aide Committee.

Mary was a retired employee of the State of South Carolina’s Department of Mental Health Agency after twenty years of service. She had a great work ethic which she passed to her children. After retiring, she could not sit still and continued to work various jobs.

Mary was well loved by neighbors, co-workers, and friends. Mary was a giving woman who never met a stranger. She opened her home to many and fed thousands. She enjoyed traveling, shopping, cooking, and spending quality time with family and friends.

Mary was preceded in death by her parents, Pete and Mary Williams Gunter; brothers, Willie Pete Gunter, James Gunter, Nathan Gunter, Clifton Gunter, Joseph Gunter, and Reginald Gunter; her sisters, Gracie Williams, Lula Myers, Eleanor Gunter, and Angela Taylor.

Mary leaves to cherish her precious memories, four daughters, Wendy (Jeffery Brown) Gunter of Greenville, SC, Sharon (Frank) Myers, Dana (Chad) Smith, Sr., both of Columbia, SC, and Katina (Edward) Simon of Rembert, SC; one son, Johnny (Keisha) Darby, Jr. of Columbia, SC; one brother, Norman (Lillie Bell) Gunter, Sr. of Gaston, SC; sisters, Eunice (Roosevelt) McLemore, Laura Ann Middleton, and Linder F. Gunter (James) Turner of Elgin, SC; a sister-in-law; Carletta Gunter; a special niece, Helen Thompson; twelve grandchildren;  ten great-grandchildren; and a host of other loving family and friends whom all will miss her dearly.  

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