Linda Quinn Furman

Melinda Quinn Furman was born in Augusta, Georgia on January 9, 1948 to Ethel Harris Quinn and Kirby Jernigan Quinn. Linda's mother traveled to her own birthplace in Georgia for her children’s deliveries even though the family lived in Greenville, SC. Linda's parents were both in their forties with three grown boys when she was born, so she was rightfully spoiled from the start. Her brothers, Kirby Jr., Richard and Charles, handed out pink cigars from the local soda shop to celebrate their sister’s arrival. Linda's father owned Kirby Quinn Furniture, an upscale furniture business in downtown Greenville, and raised the family on North Main Street.

Linda attended Christ Church Episcopal School, Greenville High School and Queens University before graduating from Furman University in 1971. Linda and Joseph Earle Furman, Jr. were high school sweethearts who met while vacationing in Pawleys Island, SC, a place where they would end up owning a home and spending significant time. Linda and Earle were married on December 27, 1968 at Buncombe Street United Methodist Church in Greenville.

Linda was fiercely devoted to her family. She and Earle raised four children, Quinn Furman Fletcher (Justin), Joseph Earle Furman III (Katherine), Anna Furman Gall (Jeremy) and Kate Furman Patterson (Ben). She has nine grandchildren and one step-grandson, and in every encounter, Lindy made each child and each grandchild feel as if they were the center of her universe, convincing them that they mattered above all others in that moment. She was also a beloved sister-in-law, mother-in-law, cousin and aunt. Linda’s adoring extended family also includes two dogs and five chickens.

Linda was a member of First Baptist Church, the Metropolitan Arts Council, the Hessie Morrah Garden Club, The Assembly, the Debutante Club of Greenville, the Emrys Foundation, multiple dance and book clubs, The South Carolina Children's Theater board, the Little Theater board, The Greenville Zoo board, and most recently a founding member of Greenville Center for Creative Arts where the former cloth building of the Brandon Mill was named for her in appreciation of her lifelong service to the local arts community. The Linda Quinn Furman building dedication was a surprise for Linda and funds raised will help ensure that the visual arts will always be available to all in the Greenville area through promotion, education, exhibition and encouragement. To the donors who made this honor come to life, the family would like to say thank you and that you will be in their hearts forever.

Linda was a lifelong artist who was known for her paintings and drawings, although she worked with many mediums and techniques throughout her career. She had several studios, both inside and out of the home, and most recently held a show in November at the GCCA Community Gallery.

Linda also loved to travel. Africa, Southeast Asia, the South Pacific, Europe, the Caribbean and South America were some of the international destinations she visited, as well as all over North America. In addition to travel, Linda loved to fish, especially for flounder in the tidal marshes around Pawleys Island.

Linda was known for her wit and charm. She was both very comfortable in her own skin and empathetic, causing her to be adored by friends and fans from all phases and aspects of her life. She was warm and gracious with a unique and genuine personality that made a powerful impression on all who met her. Her friendship was a blessing to many, and for over 25 years she met her closest friends from Queens for an annual girls’ trip. She was famous for her clever one-liners, a penchant for technology, hiding mail packages from Earle and holding court for anyone lucky enough to be in her presence.

Linda was a wonderful wife, mother, grandmother, artist, friend, storyteller, confidant, role-model and a revered member of her community. Linda’s bulb burned brightly and was fueled by Earle’s bottomless love, a love that made the final year of her life rich beyond measure.

Linda was diagnosed with stage IV pancreatic cancer in January 2020. After a brief battle with COVID-19, she died at home next to Earle on December 27, 2020, their 52nd wedding anniversary.

She fought a brave and feisty fight with so much grace that it was hard for others to know the extent of her illness. A few weeks before her death she was riding a horse and zipping around on a four-wheeler, exhilarated by the rides. 72 was way too young.

Due to Covid-19, her family will celebrate her life in a service on Thursday. The service will be live streamed at: https://vimeo.com/495515821 at 2:00 PM.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network (PanCan.org) or the Lindy Fund at the Greenville Center for Creative Arts (artcentergreenville.org/linda-quinn-furman-building) or the Greenville Humane Society.

GCCA, 101 Abney St., Greenville, SC, 29611. Mailing address: P.O. Box 2206, Greenville, SC, 29602.