Mary Key Rye

A much-loved mother, grandmother, and sister, Mary Rye, 74, of Irmo, South Carolina, passed away peacefully at her home Saturday, December 27, 2025, surrounded by family. She was born in Graniteville, South Carolina on September 23, 1951. She went to Lower Richland High School and worked for Michelin Tire for 25 years.

Mary had a green thumb and loved to spend her days working in her yard and tending to her flowers. She found great joy in caring for her children and grandchildren. Her heart was deeply caring. She also loved to read and spend time in her swing watching her bird feeders. She was an eighteen year survivor of lung cancer.

She is survived by her daughters and son, Donna “Michele” Rye, Kenneth Gerald Rye (Angie) and Christina Rye Kelly (Brian); grandchildren, Haley Hopkins, Jacob and Savannah Rye, and William and Taylor Kelly; and brother, James Rudolph Key (Dianne); along with many nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her mother, Mary Taylor Key and sister, Ann Livingston.

A visitation will be held at 10:00 a.m. Friday, January 2, 2026, at Dunbar Funeral Home, Dutch Fork Chapel, Irmo, South Carolina, followed by service at 11:00 a.m. in the Chapel.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in Mary’s memory to Sharing God’s Love.

Memories may be shared at www.dunbarfunerals.com.