Saluda, SC

Mary Helen Duffie

Mary Helen Crawford Duffie, 96, died peacefully on August 30, 2026 at Shem Creek at South Bay Assisted Living Facility in Mount Pleasant, SC, where she had recently moved after living all of her life in Saluda, South Carolina.

Born November 15, 1929, Mary Helen was the daughter of the late John Samuel Crawford and Annie Mae Lott Crawford. She graduated from Saluda High School and Columbia Commercial College. During her career, she worked for the U.S. Department of Agriculture and Saluda County Bank, later known as Bankers Trust.

Mary Helen was devoted to her community. She was a founding member of the Pyracantha Garden Club and served as a member of the Saluda County Election Commission. She was also a faithful member of St. Paul United Methodist Church, where she participated in the J.N. DeLoache Sunday School Class and Young at Heart.

Mary Helen enjoyed many interests throughout her life. She took great pride and joy in working in her yard, which was recognized as Yard of the Month on several occasions. She enjoyed playing bridge with friends and couples, as well as playing golf regularly with the ladies on Tuesdays and with her husband, H.Z., on Sunday afternoons at Persimmon Hill Country Club where they were charter members. After earning several victories and runner-up finishes in her flights, she captured the Ladies Club Championship in 1992, 1994 and 2001. A talented floral arranger, Mary Helen created arrangements for special occasions in her home, for friends, and throughout the community. Her work earned several blue ribbons and tricolor awards, also known as Best in Show, at local flower shows. She also enjoyed sewing and quilting.

One of Mary Helen’s greatest blessings was the lifetime of deep and enduring friendships she and H.Z. shared in Saluda. As one of 11 children, her passion was her immediate and extended Crawford and Duffie family. She believed strongly in nurturing family relationships and keeping loved ones connected. She delighted in holiday gatherings, weddings, showers, family reunions, and quiet visits on the back porch with whomever happened to stop by.

Mary Helen will be remembered for her strong work ethic, sense of humor, fun-loving spirit, and steadfast devotion to her family, friends, church, and community.

Surviving are her son, Henry Clay Duffie (Susan) of Mount Pleasant; her daughter, Patricia Helen Duffie Littlejohn (Buddy) of Blythewood; six grandchildren, Zachary Easton Duffie (Anna), Magdalyn Patrice Duffie, Jesse Roland Duffie (Becca), Henry Louis Duffie (Becca), Matthew Duffie Littlejohn (Rachel), and William Micah Littlejohn (Brittany); nine great-grandchildren, Mary Morgan Elizabeth, Hadley Kate, and Sullivan Charlotte Duffie, Henry Zed and Crawford Lucas Duffie, Dublyn Shyras Barley, Landon Oliva and Henry Rhett Littlejohn and Brooks Elliott Littlejohn; her sisters-in-law, Jean Nabors Crawford and Zell Crawford McCarty; and many beloved nieces and nephews.

She was predeceased by her husband of 61 years, Henry Zed Duffie Jr.; their infant daughter, Deborah Helen Duffie; her parents; and her siblings, Carrie Lou Crawford Quattlebaum (Curran), William Lott Crawford (Kathleen), Edna Crawford Cogburn (John), Jesse Herman “Tence” Crawford, John Elbert “Joe” Crawford (Mary Anne), James Henry Crawford (Faye), Mabel Crawford, Gary Eugene Crawford (Faye), Robert “Bob” Crawford (Sara), and Thomas Blake Crawford. She was also predeceased by several nieces and nephews.

A funeral service will be held at 3:00 pm, Sunday, September 27 at St. Paul United Methodist Church with the Reverend Christy McMillin-Goodwin officiating followed by interment at Travis Park Cemetery. Visitation will be held prior to the funeral service at 2:00 pm at St Paul United Methodist Church Family Life Center.

Memorials may be made to: St. Paul United Methodist Church, 102 East Butler Avenue, Saluda, SC 29138.

Please share your memories and condolences online at www.rameyfuneralhome.com.