Obituary of Mary Elizabeth Fant

Mary Elizabeth Fant, 56, of Columbia, S.C., passed away in a motor vehicle accident on Saturday, April 15, 2023. She was taken from her loved ones way too soon.  Mary was predeceased by her parents, Nat Hunter Fant, Sarah White Fant and Everett Neil Brandon, sisters, Becky King Crook and Catherine Fant and a brother, James Raiford King, Sr.  A native of Columbia, Mary was a Valedictorian graduate of A.C. Flora High School. She then graduated from the University of South Carolina Honors College.  After the University of South Carolina, Mary pursued paralegal training and worked for the Court of Appeals in Columbia.  After some working years, Mary then pursued further degrees from Indiana University and the RN Nursing Program at Midlands Technical College in Columbia.  She became fluent in Russian and Spanish and found her place working for SC Hispanic Outreach in Columbia which allowed her to use her legal, medical and language skills in support of the Hispanic community.  Mary also worked as an interpreter for Prisma Health and other local entities.

Mary is survived by sisters, Nathalie Fant Eison (David) of Columbia and Judy King Boozer of Cross Anchor, S.C., as well as brother, John Alexander Fant (Margie) of Lexington, S.C.  She is also survived by niece Ashley Fant Reese (Al), great-niece Adele Elizabeth Reese and great-nephew Parker Albert Reese all of Lexington S.C. as well as niece Kathryn Fant Davalos (Matt), great-nephew Charles Daniel Davalos and great-niece Mia Isabelle Davalos all of Surprise, AZ.  Additionally, Mary is survived by numerous nieces, nephews, great-nieces, great-nephews and cousins throughout the Southeast and in Texas. She also leaves behind her three cats, Curry, Linus and Gigi who will miss her dearly.

Throughout her life, Mary enjoyed reading, watching her beloved Gamecocks play and learning foreign languages and cultures.  She was blessed with a profound compassion for animals, especially cats, and for her fellow man, and helped all those who needed it.  She will be dearly missed by her family, friends and all the people whose lives she touched.

Thompson Funeral Home at Greenlawn, 845 Leesburg Road, Columbia, S.C. is assisting the family on Tuesday, April 25 with a visitation at 1:00 PM and a Celebration of Life Service at 2:00 PM, followed by interment at Greenlawn Memorial Park, 7100 Garners Ferry Rd., Columbia S.C.  

Memorials may be made to PETSinc, 300 Orchard Drive, West Columbia, SC 29171.

For those unable to attend, the Celebration of Life service will be streaming live via the following link: https://client.tribucast.com/tcid/2851591546