Caroline Garris Bookter, 67, of Columbia, passed away at her home early Saturday morning after battling several illnesses for more than a year.

Born in Charleston, SC, she was a graduate of St. Andrews High School and held a degree from the University of South Carolina. She worked for some 35 years in the insurance industry, first at Seibels Bruce Co., and later at Policy Management Systems and with Computer Sciences Corporation. A member of Shandon Baptist Church, she was active in her Sunday school class, and enjoyed singing in The Rejoicers (Senior Adult Choir) at Shandon.

Caroline is preceded in death by her parents, Clarence E. and Mildred H. Garris. She is survived by her loving husband, Philip M. Bookter; and her two sons, Christopher (Niki) and Matthew (Brie). Caroline is also survived by brothers, Hollis (Ann), Wendell (Kaye), and Larry (Ginny). She will be missed by her Corgi puppy, Boomer, who was a true momma's boy.

A Southern Lady of the first order, she loved baking, cooking and her Carolina Gamecocks!

The funeral for Mrs. Bookter will be held 2 o'clock, Friday, October 27th, at Shandon Baptist Church, 5250 Forest Drive, Columbia. Burial will follow in Greenlawn Memorial Park. The family will receive friends from 5 until 7 o'clock, Thursday evening at Shives Funeral Home, Trenholm Road Chapel, 7600 Trenholm Road Ext., Columbia. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorials be made to Shandon Baptist Church, the American Cancer Society, the National Kidney Foundation, the National Parkinson Foundation or to the charity of one's choice.

The family wishes to extend a special thank you to Dr. Brian Cline, Dr. Manesh Kadian, Dr. Charles Butler, and especially her Oncology Nurse, Ms. Dusty Burrell, who was a great encouragement to her.