Mary Furman

Mrs. Mary Drakeford-Furman, 93, of Camden, South Carolina, transitioned peacefully into eternal life on Tuesday, January 13, 2026, at MUSC Health Kershaw Medical Center in Camden, South Carolina with her children and grandchildren by her side. She was born on Saturday, September 17, 1932, in Kershaw County during the Great Depression to the late Deacon Tom and Jessie Alexander-Drakeford. She was raised in a Christian home where she was taught to trust God, pray, read/study scriptures, to love others as you love yourself, and the importance of a strong, dedicated, and committed work ethic.

Mrs. Furman received her education at the Dekalb School in Kershaw County. She stressed the importance of a “good” education and often reminded her children of how she and her siblings had to walk from her parents’ house in the back of Macedonia Baptist Church to the Dekalb School in good and bad weather.

Mrs. Furman was converted and baptized at an early age at Macedonia Baptist Church, Flat Rock Road, and served as a devoted and faithful member until she married. After marriage, she joined the Zion Hill AME Zion Church, Camden, South Carolina, and continued her Christian walk. At Zion Hill AME, Mrs. Furman was a Deaconess, member of the Adult Choir, served on the Pastor’s Aide, Missionary Society, and Mother of the Church. After many dedicated and faithful years at Zion Hill, Mrs. Furman yearned to return to her childhood home Church, Macedonia Baptist, to worship with her siblings for a sense of unity and shared purpose, as they supported the church in all capacities and each other in their faith walk. Upon her return to Macedonia, Mrs. Furman was active in the activities of the church, attended Sunday School, Bible Study, and served on the Senior Choir, and as the Mother of the Church.

Mrs. Furman was employed for many years as a domestic engineer and for many of the families in which she was employed they became not only her employer but also family; especially, Doug and Johnnie Walker and their children, Ryan and Sally.

Mrs. Furman married the late James Elmer Furman, Sr., who entered into eternal life on Sunday, June 26, 2016, and to this union, nine children were born.

Mrs. Furman was preceded in death by her parents, Deacon Tom and Jessie Alexander-Drakeford; her devoted husband, James Elmer Furman, Sr; brothers, Lewis Drakeford, Grover Drakeford, and Anderson Drakeford; sisters, Mamie Drakeford, Bessie Drakeford, Martha Catoe, Rosalee Evans, Elizabeth Jones, and Lottie Mae Drakeford; and one grandson, Nigel Akeem Furman.

Those left to cherish her fond memories, grieve her passing and celebrate her homecoming; five sons, James (Arta) Elmer Furman, Jr of El Paso, Texas, Jerome Furman of Denton, Texas, Michael (Cynthia) Furman of Florence, South Carolina, Raymond (Fontella) Furman of Washington, D.C., and Barton (Azaleana) Furman of Camden, South Carolina; four daughters, Pearline Furman, Jessie Mae Alexander, and Loretta Furman all of Camden, South Carolina and Prophetess Mary Ann (Charles) Crosby of Lawton, Oklahoma; one adopted daughter, Madeline (Columbus) Williams of Camden, South Carolina; 13 grandchildren; 13 great-grandchildren; one great-great grandchild; a host of nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.

Mrs. Furman will be remembered for being the world’s best mom, her kindness, generosity, love and spirit, and for leaving an indelible impression upon all who came in contact with her. She will be sorely missed but fondly remembered especially by her children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren.