Individual Details

Death

Mary Charlotte "Polly" Dungan Furr, 96, passed away on June 29, 2021 at Chestnut Hill Senior Living in Columbus, Ohio. She was preceded in death by her parents, Marvin and Mary Eliza (Heath) Dungan, brothers William T. Dungan (Vergie), Sanders J. Dungan (Helen), Payne R. Dungan (Margaret), and sisters Helen D. McRae (James), Elizabeth "Betsy" D. Tilley (Paul), Louise D. McClung (Nortie), Ada D. Powers (Carl), Muriel D. Hopkins (Robert), and her devoted and loving husband of 64 years, Robert Bivens Furr, Sr. Mary Charlotte, known as "Polly," was born in Chilhowie, Virginia, and was given her nickname early on by her loving brothers when her pet crow, also named "Polly," was stepped on by a cow. She then rewarded their efforts by driving her brother's truck down the mountain into the creek. This highly intelligent, determined young woman was graduated from Converse College, where she played tennis, and earned her RN at the Presbyterian Hospital School of Nursing in Charlotte, North Carolina. She practiced in orthopedics and pediatrics, but her heart was in private duty nursing. She met her husband, Bob, on a blind date arranged by his sister-in-law, Polly, and were married in 1948. She retired from nursing in 1957, but continued to lend her skills to various neighborhood families and health rooms in her children's schools. Polly and Bob insisted that church and piano lessons were mandatory for the family and Polly was the chief enforcer of evening prayers and daily practice. Her children are so thankful that these were nonnegotiable, because even now, God and music are at the very center of their lives. Polly was well known for her cooking expertise. Fried chicken, biscuits, and banana bread were among her family's favorites. It is unknown the number of lemon pound cakes she baked for teachers and friends, but many were blessed by her love and generosity. Music was a very big part of Polly's life. She loved singing at home, in school groups, and enjoyed hearing her dad and brothers play the fiddle, banjo, and guitar. She never had formal music lessons, but would play "The Old Rugged Cross" and other songs by ear on the pump organs that Bob restored. It was fascinating to her children that she always chose the key of Ab major. When asked why, she said she just liked the way it sounded. Polly spent her final years at Chestnut Hill Senior Living in Columbus, Ohio, where she was surrounded by good friends and received loving and expert care. The Brookdale Hospice team was also a blessing to her and her family. Polly is survived by her sister, Nancy D. Sanders, niece Sue Ellen Sanders Ballard, nephews S. Daniel Dungan (Patty), Billy Dungan, and David Wayne Sanders (Kim), son Robert Bivens Furr, Jr (Heidi), daughter Maryfrances Furr Kirsh (David), grandchildren Robert Bivens Furr, III (Alicia), Daniel Paul Kirsh, Michael Sanders Furr (Alexandria), Richard Ralph Kirsh, Maryanne Elizabeth Kirsh Gilbert (Haviland), and beautiful great-granddaughter Eloise Paige Furr. The funeral service will be conducted at 11 a.m. Saturday, July 3, 2021 at the Williams Funeral Home in Chilhowie, Virginia. The family will receive friends from 10 a.m. – 11 a.m. before the service. Interment will be in the Middle Fork Cemetery, Chilhowie, Virginia. In lieu of flowers, donations may be sent in memory of Polly to the Parkinson's Foundation at http://parkinson.org. Williams Funeral Home is serving the Furr family.