Carolyn Smith Boney

Carolyn Smith Boney, devoted wife, mother, grandmother, and friend, passed away peacefully at the age of 84.

Born on January 5, 1942, in Charleston, West Virginia, Carolyn was the daughter of the late Russell Roberts Smith and Margaret Gertrude Keswick Smith. She was also preceded in death by her brother, Rodney Keswick Smith.

Carolyn attended the University of West Virginia, where she was a member of the Tri Delta Sorority, Phi Iota Chapter. She graduated in 1963 with a Bachelor of Arts in Secondary Education and later earned a Master's degree plus thirty in Reading Instruction.

Carolyn dedicated her career to education, beginning as a classroom teacher and reading specialist before serving the South Carolina Department of Education. She retired as Supervisor of Administration for the Office of Exceptional Children, where she was dedicated to improving educational opportunities for students with special needs all over South Carolina.

Outside of her profession, Carolyn found great joy in reading novels, cooking, and baking for those she loved. She especially enjoyed shopping, planning, and hosting gatherings, making holidays memorable for family and friends. She had a deep appreciation for fresh-cut flowers and was a member of the Blythewood Garden Club for many years.

She is survived by her husband, Harold S. Boney; her daughter, Jennifer Gillespie (Brian); and her stepchildren, Steve Boney (Ginger), Harriet Walter, Beverly Patterson (Eric), and Catherine Caulder.

Carolyn was a proud and loving grandmother to Anna Gillespie, Hunter Gillespie, Charner Boney (Kristen), Charlotte Norville, Addison Caulder, Brooke Smith (Cooper), Sara Erdman (Andrew), Blake Patterson (Lauren), Chad Patterson (Emily), and the late Mitchell Ayers. She was also blessed with 18 great-grandchildren and numerous nieces and nephews.

Carolyn will be remembered for her quick wit, strong spirit, and unwavering honesty. She never hesitated to share her thoughts, often with a touch of sass and a smile that made it impossible not to love her. Her confidence, humor, and fierce love for her family made her truly one of a kind.

The graveside service for Mrs. Boney will be held at 10 o’clock, Tuesday, July 21st, at Sandy Level Baptist Church Cemetery, 408 Blythewood Road, Blythewood. Visitation will be held from 5 until 7 o’clock, Monday evening at Shives Funeral Home, Trenholm Road Chapel, 7600 Trenholm Road Ext., Columbia.

Serving as active and honorary pallbearers will be Charner Boney, Hunter Gillespie, Addison Caulder, Chad Patterson, T.J. Lancaster, Luke Lancaster, Blake Patterson and Vic Boney.

As a reflection of Carolyn's bright spirit and the joy she brought to others, the family requests that those attending her service wear colorful clothing rather than traditional dark colors.

Memorials may be made to St. Jude Children’s Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105.