Mary Yvonne Davis Free

Mary Yvonne Davis Free, of Florence, S.C. passed away on Wednesday April 5th. Services will be held at Highland Park United Methodist Church on Monday April 10th with visitation starting at 11:00 AM followed by the service at 12 noon. Inurnment will follow in the Florence Memorial Gardens Cemetery.  In lieu of flowers, memorials may be sent to the Alzheimer’s association.  Cain Calcutt Funeral Home is honored to serve the Free family.

Mary was born in Norway, S.C. on August 30, 1931. Mary was married to her high school sweetheart, Phin (predeceased) for 70 years. Mary and Phin were long time members of Highland Park United Methodist Church where she was active in the Francis Asbury Sunday school class and the Mary Lazar circle.

Mary is survived by her children Barry Free and his wife Lisa, of Florence, Larry Free and his wife Terry of Mt. Pleasant, Jimmy Free and his wife Linda of Florence. She is predeceased by her daughter Yvonne Field.

Mary has 7 grandchildren, Kent Field (predeceased), Mary Alice Dewitt (Jonathan) of Florence, Alan Free of Florence, Michael Free of Florence, Daniel Free of Columbia, Sally Tackett (Ben) of Columbia and Mary Lee Coultrap (Hunter) of Fleetwood, N.C. Mary was also blessed with 7 great grandchildren. Mary is also survived by her sister Marlene Bates of Florence and is predeceased by her brother Norval Davis. 

Mary graduated from Willow High School in Norway in 1949 where she was the class treasurer, a member of the Beta club, the girl’s basketball team, a cheerleader, the editor of the Willo-The- Wisp newspaper and yearbook and a member of student council. Her class recognized her as “friendliest” and best all around. 

After graduating, Mary joined the Southern Bell Telephone Company where she worked as an executive assistant until the time that she left the workplace to devote her full attention to raising her four children. As her children grew older, she served her community as a substitute teacher in Florence District One until she was 80 years old. Mary was a devoted wife and mother; she always placed the needs of her family before her own. She was a strong and faithful woman and was the rock of her family. She very possibly owns the record for the number of little league baseball games attended at Friendship Park. She was a fantastic cook. It has been said that if Colonel Sanders could fry chicken like she did, he would have made General. 

Mary will be remembered by all that knew her as a kind and generous woman with a smile that lit up every room she was in. Her high school friends got it right 73 years ago. “Friendliest” is a great way to remember her.

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