Carole Sue Toole McEwen, 78, of Columbia, SC, and formerly of Tampa, FL, died Sunday, October 20, 2013. Born in Ybor City, FL, she was a daughter of the late Robert Max Suarez, a fallen deputy sheriff, and Frederick Hilding Johnson and Lois Moore Johnson. Carole graduated from Hillsboro High School in Tampa, Class of 1953, and later received an Associates in Business degree in Accounting from Midlands Technical College in Columbia. She worked as a telephone operator after high school for GTE in Tampa and later moved up to the position of executive assistant in the executive offices of GTE. Carole and her late husband, Emmett E. Toole, founded Toole Builders, Incorporated, in the late 1970's. She worked as a secretary and bookkeeper for various businesses throughout the years, finally retiring in 2003.

Carole was a member of the Church of the Good Shepherd (Episcopal), where she had served as a member of the flower guild, St. Bridget's Guild, member and Vice President of the Bishop Howe Chapter of the Daughters of the King, and former Vice President of the Episcopal Church Women. She was also active in the Order of the Eastern Star, serving as Past Matron of Columbia Chapter #59, past Royal Matron of Carolina Court #4, Order of the Amaranth, Past Grand Royal Matron, Grand Court of SC, Order of the Amaranth, and a past Advisory Board member for the International Order of Rainbow for Girls, and the International Order of Job's Daughters, and a past member of the Jamil Shrine Temple's Past Master's Unit's Ladies' Auxiliary.

Mrs. McEwen was also a member and volunteer for many years with the Volunteers in Action for Palmetto Health Foundation and did volunteer work with the First Ladies' Walk for Life, as well as various other cancer-related events. She was a graduate of Clown College and enjoyed being a volunteer clown for many local events, including the annual Carolina Carillon Holiday Parade and was a past Vice President of Palmetto Woman's Club.

Carole loved to cook and decorate cakes. One of her favorite ministries was cooking and preparing meals for others who were ill and preparing meals for church events. She was an avid bridge player and enjoyed the beach and mountains. In her earlier years, Carole enjoyed playing golf, as well as traveling. She had traveled to many other countries over the years and counted herself fortunate to have lived in Saudia Arabia for a short time.

Survivors include her husband, Roy McEwen; daughter, Leslie Stanley and husband, Dennis; brother, William Suarez and wife, Melba Suarez; and many nieces and nephews. In addition to her parents, and first husband, Carole was preceded in death by a brother, Bobby Suarez; and sister, Patricia Fountain.

The Requiem Mass for Mrs. McEwen will be held 11 o'clock, Wednesday, October 23rd, at The Church of the Good Shepherd (Episcopal). The family will receive friends following the service in the parish hall. Burial will take place at Dunedin Cemetery, Dunedin, FL.

Memorials may be made to the Church of the Good Shepherd (Episcopal), 1512 Blanding St, Columbia, SC 29201; SC Oncology Associates, PO Box 2046, West Columbia, SC 29171; or Hospice Care of Tri-County, 166 Stoneridge Dr, Ste 100, Columbia, SC 29210.