Mary “Libby” Elizabeth Yarborough

Mary Elizabeth Yarborough died peacefully on Friday, July 21, 2023.

Born in Arcadia, Florida on August 15, 1941, Libby was the daughter of William Daniel Yarborough and Mary Elizabeth Treadwell Yarborough.

She is survived by her sisters, Jean Yarborough Helms of Mount Pleasant, SC, Jane Yarborough Creech, and sister-in-law, Millie Yarborough, both of Greenville, SC, together with 11 nieces and nephews, numerous grandnieces, and grandnephews as well as cousins.

Libby was predeceased by her parents; brother, William Daniel Yarborough, Jr.; and brothers-in-law, Thomas Marion Creech, and Bennett Lyon Helms.

Growing up, Libby’s family lived in many locations throughout the South including Norfolk, VA during World War ll, Charlotte, NC where she was a Carousel Princess and graduated from Meyers Park High School, and finally, Greenville, SC where she lived most of her adult life.

When she was 9 years old, Libby contracted polio and later in life, she experienced post-polio syndrome, but she was never defined by her illness or physical limitations.

Libby attended Converse College for several years where she was part of the May Court. She transferred to and graduated from Furman University where she received a degree in political science. After graduation she moved to Washington, DC where she worked on Capitol Hill for the Republican congressman from California, Glenard P. Lipscomb. She returned to South Carolina to work for Governor John West. In 1980, she was elected as a delegate to the Democratic National Convention in New York City. She was active in Democratic politics her whole life and was a member of Democratic Women of Greenville County. Libby was quoted in the book, Why I’m a Democrat edited by Susan Mulcahy as saying, “Throughout my life, I have seen the Democrats take an active role in solving problems and improving the quality of life for everyone.”

Libby worked in the real estate development business for over 50 years. She left the Furman Company to join her father’s company, Danco, which played a major role in the growth of Mauldin, SC through the creation of the Forrester Woods, Forrester Farms and Forrester Farms Estates residential neighborhoods. She also developed Squires Creek and Laurel Meadows subdivisions. Later, she and her brother established Carolina Real Estate Properties. She closed her last real estate deal a few days prior to her death.

One of her favorite places was Fripp Island, SC where her family owned a vacation home since the 1960s. She spent many happy days at the beach with her large family. She was an avid reader who loved her book club, and she was also a garden club member. Also, she was a member of the Junior League of Greenville. In her retirement, she took art history courses at Furman University. Libby was known for her personal beauty. Her taste in home decoration was impeccable. She was a person of deep faith who read the bible daily and watched Dr. Charles Stanley every Sunday.

A service of remembrance and a celebration of her life will be held in the chapel at First Baptist Church on Friday, July 28, 2023, at 2:00 p.m. Entombment will be held in Woodlawn Memorial Park.

Memorial donations may be made to The Riley Institute at Furman University or First Baptist Church.

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