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Mary Todd Poore

1929 - 2025

Mary Todd Poore obituary, 1929-2025, Charleston, SC

BORN

1929

DIED

2025

FUNERAL HOME

J. Henry Stuhr Mount Pleasant Chapel

1494 Mathis Ferry Road

Mount Pleasant, South Carolina

Mary Poore Obituary

Mary Todd Poore CHARLESTON - Mary Todd Poore, affectionately known as "Toddy" since being elected mayor of her 5th grade class, passed away April 23, 2025, at the age of 95. Born to Howard Davis "Jack" Todd and James Elizabeth Whallon "Jimmy" Todd in Honolulu, HI, Toddy had two sisters: Patricia Todd Carmichael, who resides in Seattle, and Lorinda Todd Luke, who passed away in 2023. Her brother, Howard Davis "Jack" Todd, Jr., passed away in 1957. Toddy graduated from Ashley Hall and attended a semester at Wellesley College before her marriage to her former husband, Col. (Ret.) James E. Poore III, who survives her. Toddy is survived by her six children: Jenny, Ellen, Betty (Mark), Jimmy, Todd, and Jerry (Heidi); grandchildren: Elizabeth (Jason), Davis (Taylor), Jack, Kate, Jimmy, and Rafe (Joanna); her great-grandchild: Aidan; nieces, Lorinda and Lisa; nephew, Jack, and all of their eight children. Toddy raised her six children as a single mother on the Isle of Palms in the early 60's and 70's, and this experience no doubt trained her to juggle multiple buyers and sellers, as she came to dominate the Charleston real estate market as one of the first female Realtors (if not the first) in the Charleston area. Her secret weapon in the early years was her six-member answering service on the family's Isle of Palms home phone. Woe to the child who did not answer, "Hello, the Poore residence; may I take a message?" and then put pen to paper to get a name and number for follow up! As her career took off, this answering service was, happily for her kids, replaced by secretaries and mobile CB radios (Toddy was "unit 4"). Toddy also served on the school board for the Moultrie School District in Mount Pleasant in the mid 60's while starting her real estate career. Toddy loved to play tennis, especially doubles. She had no problem rounding out a foursome as the only woman; she was very competitive and of course good, playing at Creekside, the Country Club, and Maybank courts. The foursomes were sometimes just friends, but more often the other three players were closing attorneys, builders, and other sales agents who had come to know and admire her competitive spirit. She developed a real camaraderie with those she interacted with and earned their respect by outselling most of them as a result of her extraordinary work ethic. Her children emulated her competitiveness. They took to tennis naturally, and played many matches with and against their mother, not to mention all the other sports she encouraged them to participate in: football, basketball, track and field, and surfing to name a few. Toddy had a varied taste in music, ranging from Burl Ives to opera to other classical music. She was also an avid reader and loved and supported the local libraries. All of these interests, and more, she passed along to her children. She had legions of "followers" decades before Facebook. Her real estate clients would have given her millions of "likes" had she come along a little later. And she would likely have sold billions instead of mere millions had the smartphone been around a generation earlier. "I was born into the wrong generation," she often lamented when "Google" and "iPhone" and the "Internet" began to dominate real estate communications. But she held her own right up to the ripe young age of 85 years old when she officially (but never really) retired from the real estate business. Before and after retirement, Toddy drove numerous Meals on Wheels Mount Pleasant routes, at first alone, then, when she stopped driving, with her children. Beyond being a very successful career Realtor, an infamously terrible driver, and an even worse cook, Toddy was a wonderful and generous human being who rarely found fault in others. At times sharply direct, at heart a kind and simple soul, Toddy lived a good life and passed away peacefully. She will be missed by her extensive network of family, colleagues, dear friends, acquaintances, and the thousands of buyers and sellers who for almost 60 years were privileged to share the force of nature that Toddy was. Her children will miss her most of all. A gathering of Toddy's friends and family will be held on Wednesday, May 14, 2025, from 4:00 PM to 7:00 PM, at the J. Henry Stuhr Funeral Home, 1494 Mathis Ferry Road, in Mount Pleasant, SC. Feel free to come dressed in casual attire if that suits you. It suits us, and Toddy wouldn't mind at all. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to East Cooper Meals on Wheels. A memorial message may be sent to the family by visiting our website at www.jhenrystuhr.com.

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by Charleston Post & Courier from May 3 to May 4, 2025.

Memories and Condolences
for Mary Poore

Sponsored by J. Henry Stuhr Mount Pleasant Chapel.

Not sure what to say?





John M. Rivers, Jr.

May 6, 2025

No peers! The best!!!

Bobbie Rothschild

May 4, 2025

To Todd, Betty, Jimmy, Jerry, Jenny, Ellen:
My deepest sympathy for you all.
Blessings.

Midge Cloer Lilly

May 1, 2025

The Poore Family
I am so sorry to hear about Toddy. One thing I remember is the blackboard in the kitchen with everyone´s chores and eating baloney, cheese, mustard, dill pickles and potato chip sandwich. Many fond memories.

Catherine Reynolds

April 30, 2025

Jerry just wanted to let you know how sad to hear of your mom's passing but had to compliment y'all for such a touching and hysterical obituary. At first I was going to say what great memories of seeing your mom go down King Street in her Cadillac with the "Toddy" plate but after the terrible driver admission I will add going down King Street probably a little too fast in her Cadillac!
She was one of a kind and such a wonderful lady. It was so nice to visit with her when she joined you on the job at our home several years back.
God Bless.

Kitti Mullins

April 27, 2025

Toddy was an icon in the real estate business! There was no one (& never will be) another like her. Everyone loved her & you saw her everywhere in her Cadillac with her Toddy license plate. I was so fortunate to have known & worked with her for Max Hill downtown. She was a hoot & I learned so much about the business from her. Much love to her children & grandchildren.

Teena Williams Martindale

April 27, 2025

Teena Williams Martindale

April 27, 2025

What a legacy! One of the most successful women ever in the early days of real estate in Charleston and beyond. She and my mother, Jane Williams, were friends and competitors. Before radios and cell phones, Toddy would leave her station wagon in the middle of our office parking lot, door open, engine going and run (literally) into my mother's office to use the phone. I was instructed by mother if I was on the front desk and saw Toddy coming, to jump up, give her the phone and get out of her way! What a bundle of energy! I've always admired Toddy. She will be fondly remembered by her many friends, clients and associated in the industry.
P.S.I have more stories and some great old photos!

Renee Reinert

April 26, 2025

So sad to hear of Toddy´s passing. She was such a kind soul. A legend in real estate and a remarkable kind woman. She will be greatly missed by many. My thoughts and prayers for her family.

Scott Layton

April 26, 2025

So sorry to hear about Toddy....she was a legend! I'm grateful for knowing and working with her. prayers of comfort for all of the family

Nell Postell

April 26, 2025

Thoughts and prayers to all the family and friends. Everyone loved Toddy. I have so many stories. She will be remember in real estate forever for sure by us oldies. Rest in Peace my friend.

Sarah Kilpatrick

April 26, 2025

Toddy helped my parents buy a beach house on the Isle of Palms in the late 60´s-maybe early 70´s. Then, when my mom decided to move to Charleston she helped her find a home in 2006. She and my Mom remained friends until my mother´s death in 2020. She was a great friend to my mother and also a great realtor!

Tim Rogers

April 25, 2025

Toddy - a force of nature!
Kind, genuine, tough, fair - and always on the go
So thankful to have known her !
Prayers to the family

Beth Moore

April 25, 2025

What an incredible lady! She was well respected for many reasons, one being for her dedication to her profession and family. She will be missed!

Jenny Welch

April 25, 2025

I met Toddy when I went to work for Max Hill in my late teens and worked with her for over 36 years. I was her real estate assistant for 16 of those years! I saw first hand what an extraordinary lady Toddy was as a daughter, a mother & grandmother, a sister, an aunt and of course an awesome Realtor, but most of all a dear friend. Through the years, Toddy was always there for me when I hit bumps in the road in my life. She was loved and respected by so many of us and I am so fortunate she was a part of my life for so many years.

David Bernthal

April 25, 2025

Toddy was a wonderful person and a joy to work with. She handled the sale of my mother's home in 1985 and we had a number of contacts after. She will be missed.

Chris Sosnowski

April 25, 2025

My condolences to the family.

Jim Herritage

April 25, 2025

A legend has passed. Truly a giant in the residential real estate industry, Toddy was the top producer for Max L. Hill, Co., Inc. in Charleston, SC for many years and was the top producer nationally in the Gallery of Homes network in the late 70´s. A daughter of Mr. Jack Todd (of Sears & Roebuck fame) and his dear wife Jimmi, Toddy´s positive attitude was infectious. I can still hear her exclaiming "CHOP! CHOP!" when it was time to quit sitting and start selling. We all loved you Mrs. Poore; you taught us so much. KJR821 base to 4...you will be missed!

Cheryl Morris & Kristen Granet

April 24, 2025

Our condolences to your family.

Jay Keenan

April 24, 2025

Rest in peace dear friend and mentor. Toddy was a consummate professional and role model for so many of us that knew her.

Sharon Milliken

April 24, 2025

Rest in Peace dear Toddy. My sympathy to the family. I know you will miss her. She was a wonderful, full of energy woman with a smile for everyone. I will cherish my memories of her and know she won't be "resting" for long. Her spirit will live on. Prayers for all.

Rebecca Narkiewicz

April 24, 2025

Toddy- What words can describe the legend? She was a remarkable woman. Inspiring, funny, determined, fierce, the hardest worker I've ever met, and beloved by her family. I am better for having known and worked with Toddy.

Sheryl Hill

April 24, 2025

I really respected Toddy. I worked with her at Remax and Dunes Properties She was quite a realtor and a nice person!

Liz Loadholt

April 24, 2025

Words cannot express the respect that I have had over the years for Toddy --- She was an inspiration to me when I first got my real estate license-such a hard worker and always willing to help me. I have missed her over the past few years - I loved Toddy. Thoughts and prayers for the whole family of a great lady. Liz Loadholtl

Robert A Dickson

April 24, 2025

My sincere respect for a great lady, more hard working than any other. So glad to have met her through her children.
May she rest in Peace.
Robert Dickson

Andy Ward

April 24, 2025

I would like to extend my sincere condolences to the entire family for your loss. RIP Mrs. Poor.

Showing 1 - 25 of 25 results

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Memorial Events
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May

14

Memorial Gathering

4:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m.

J. Henry Stuhr Mount Pleasant Chapel

1494 Mathis Ferry Road, Mount Pleasant, SC 29464

Funeral services provided by:

J. Henry Stuhr Mount Pleasant Chapel

1494 Mathis Ferry Road, Mount Pleasant, SC 29464

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