Individual Details

Death

Diane Penegar Furr passed away on December 28, 2024. Diane was born August 23, 1957 in Monroe, N.C., the daughter of James Cameron Furr, Sr. and Margaret Lee Penegar Furr. She graduated from Meredith College and Wake Forest University School of Law. She clerked for bankruptcy Judge Rufus Reynolds in Greensboro, NC. She practiced law in Charleston S.C. and Charlotte for over 40 years. When growing up, she spent many carefree days on the farm of her grandparents Postelle and Bright Penegar, often with her much loved cousin, Sammy Penegar. Riding ponies started her lifelong love of horses. Also indelible on her life were her adventures with best friends, Berrie Frye and Mary Kate Belk. All born in the summer of 1957, they were sisters in fun. They plotted mischief with lots of laughter. They were fiercely devoted to each other through their lives. In the 1990s, Diane spent a happy decade in Charleston, S.C., living in, and exploring the streets and alleys of, the downtown peninsula with her steadfast and beloved corgi, Winston. She enjoyed the beauty of the city and the fun of its nights with many new Charleston friends and her cousins. By the end of her stay, carriage drivers knew her and Winston by name. Annual pictures of her Easter dresses show an early flair for dressing. She was fascinated with the art of fashion and read fashion magazines, books and websites to see what was changing and what was on trend. It was her favorite topic of discussion. She particularly loved jewelry and shoes. She never went anywhere without bracelets, necklaces, rings and earrings. An evening engagement required a statement piece, the bigger the better. She loved walking into an event in a great pair of heels, relishing in the compliments they received. Her dear Aunt Frances taught her the skill of shopping and they spent many happy hours perfecting that skill. Going to North Carolina beaches with her parents growing up, she loved to walk the beach, but especially watch the birds. Vince Long introduced her to Wrightsville Beach. He was a brother to her and she loved him as a brother. Watching birds in the marshes and on the island ends of Wrightsville Beach was heaven to her. She was fascinated by the sky and stars, missing the wide clear skies and sunsets of Charleston. When a particularly spectacular moon was up, she would call, text and email friends and family, "Have you seen the moon?!" She read voraciously all of her life and belonged to two book clubs in Charlotte, whose members included some of her dearest friends. She loved volunteering at Wing Haven and the former ballet volunteer group, Corps de Ballet. She loved meeting up with the Women in Bankruptcy group to get the latest on local law practice gossip. Most special in her life were the members of her weekend morning walking group, proud of the distance they walked and eager to enjoy an after-walk coffee. She was a member of the John Foster Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution and the Waxhaw Chapter of the Daughters of the American Colonists. She loved movies. She loved red carpet shows more. She loved all types of music. She loved French champagne. She loved going to new restaurants. She joined a group of friends for dinner, calling themselves "Dining with the Divas." She was a member of a social group "Women in Wine." She was proud of mastering her mother's pecan pie recipe and Mary Ann Belk's pound cake recipe. Diane leaves behind a heartbroken brother who relied on her for constant and endless support. She fulfilled her role as older sister with complete devotion. She was always there to back him up. He will miss her forever. Ms. Furr was is preceded in death by her father James Cameron Furr, Sr., her aunt Frances Penegar Bottorf, her uncle Samuel Edward Penegar, Sr. and cousin Sammy Penegar She is survived by her mother and her brother, James Cameron Furr, Jr. of Charlotte. She is also survived by first cousins, Cindy Penegar, widow of Sammy Penegar, of Hampstead, N.C., Jim Penegar and wife Beth Shaw Penegar of Charlotte, Scott Penegar and wife Kaye Felkel Penegar of Charleston, S.C., and Charlie Furr and wife Frances Robiscek Furr of Charlotte. A service celebrating Diane's life will be held at 2:00 PM on Friday, January 24, 2025 at the Myers Park Methodist Church, with a reception following. In lieu of flowers, a gift in Diane's memory can be made to Wing Haven, 248 Ridgewood Ave, Charlotte, NC 28209 or to charities supporting bird wildlife conservation or social justice. Arrangements are in the care of Kenneth W. Poe Funeral & Cremation Service, 1321 Berkeley Ave., Charlotte, NC 28204; (704) 641-7606.