Theodore Mappus Obituary

Theodore Tobias Mappus III CHARLESTON - Theodore "Teddy" Tobias Mappus III entered eternal rest Monday, September 15, 2025. His funeral service will be held Monday, September 22, 2025 in St. Matthew's Lutheran Church, 405 King Street, at 11:00 am. All are welcome to gather in the church fellowship hall following the service. Arrangements by J. Henry Stuhr Downtown Chapel. Born in Charleston on January 15, 1950, Teddy was the beloved son of Theodore Tobias Mappus, Jr. and Dorothy "Polly" Rodeniser Mappus. Teddy graduated from Saint Andrews High School in 1968 and made friendships there he sustained throughout his life. As a Citadel cadet, Teddy was a pie-faced knob who could shine shoes with the best and the bond with his Citadel brothers remained strong. He graduated in 1972 and completed his Army service as a captain. He returned to Charleston and married his first wife, Laura Shokes Mappus. Teddy joined Mappus Insurance Agency in 1974. He would joke, "My daddy made me president," but it was his dedicated hard work that endeared him to his loyal clients. He and his employees lovingly saw to the needs of struggling Charlestonians during the aftermath of Hurricane Hugo. He borrowed his son's sleeping bag and lived in the office for several weeks to better serve his customers. Everyone knew they could count on Teddy for fair and competent service. Teddy was a faithful, lifelong member at Saint Matthew's German Evangelical Lutheran Church, where he polished the brass and served as docent, sharing the church's history and chatting with the tourists. Over the years, Teddy worked on church council and served as a longstanding member of the Bethany Cemetery Committee. His civic service included serving as president of the Exchange Club of Metropolitan Charleston. Teddy recently celebrated 50 years as a member of the German Friendly Society, which began as a German immigrant aid organization and has been meeting since 1766. He enjoyed being a member of the Arion Society, the Charleston Country Club and the Carolina Yacht Club. Teddy loved his neighbors in Stiles Point Plantation who looked out for him and waved to him during his morning walks. He was dearly loved by others and leaves behind a host of friends and family who will treasure their precious memories of him. Teddy is survived by his devoted wife of nearly 32 years, Susan Narowski Mappus; his children: Fran Mappus Cross (Bruce), The Rev. Mary Mappus Finklea (Wade), and Theodore Tobias Mappus IV (Katherine). His grandchildren were the delight of his life: Lauren Frances Cross, Anna Marie Cross, Theodore Tobias Mappus V and William Landrum Mappus. Teddy was a good and dependable big brother to Nancy Mappus Callahan and Mary Ann Mappus Taylor. He loved being Uncle Teddy to his nieces, nephews and their children. He had many cherished cousins; he liked to say they were more than family, they were friends. The family would like to thank the hard-working doctors and nurses at Roper Hospital who tended to Teddy and the whole family. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to St. Matthew's Lutheran Church, 405 King Street, Charleston, South Carolina, 29403. A memorial message may be sent to the family by visiting our website at www.jhenrystuhr.com.