A funeral service celebrating the life of Doris Sutton Owens McGuire, age 98, will be held on Wednesday, March 1, 2023 at 12 o'clock at North Trenholm Baptist Church with the Reverends David Knapp and Justin C. McGuire officiating. Visitation will be held at the church one hour prior to the service. Interment will follow at Fort Jackson National Cemetery. Shives Funeral Home, Trenholm Road Chapel, is assisting the family.

Doris McGuire was called home on Saturday, February 25, 2023, after years of declining health. Mrs. McGuire was the third-born of seven children and the widow of James (Jim) L. McGuire, Jr. She was the daughter of the late Rev. Ambler O. Sutton and Ada S. Sutton. A lifelong resident of Columbia, Doris graduated with honors from the old Columbia High School, Class of '42.
A dedicated state employee for more than 36 years, Mrs. McGuire retired in 1984 from the SC Employment Security Commission. Her exceptional work ethic and leadership skills resulted in Mrs. McGuire's appointment as the first female Benefit Payment Control (BPC) Supervisor in the nation. Her long tenure at SCESC was a source of great personal pride, and she was a dedicated mentor to many young men and women whose careers flourished under her guidance. As long as her health permitted, Doris enjoyed attending luncheons with fellow SCESC retirees. In 1998, much to her astonishment and delight, Mrs. McGuire was named the South Carolina Chapter's IAPES Retiree of the Year.

Upon retirement, Doris was a weekly volunteer with the Columbia Metro Baptist Association Food Pantry; she and Jim participated in this ministry for 20 years. As long as she was physically able to do so, she served others in as many capacities as possible. Mrs. McGuire was a tireless worker in the various churches she attended, most recently North Trenholm Baptist. Doris never sought recognition or praise for her efforts in serving the Lord. Nonetheless, her good deeds did not go unnoticed. In the June of 1992 issue of Charles Colson's Break Point publication, under the caption of "Unsung Heroes," Mrs. McGuire's service to two elderly (and quite demanding) sisters was described in detail. The article concludes with her hope "…that I will always be able to help others in some way."

To her family, Doris was an exemplary daughter, sister, wife, mother, aunt, grandmother and great-grandmother. Until her health began to fail, she was especially devoted to her younger developmentally disabled brother, "Bud." She often put aside her own needs and desires in order to make his life a more contented one. It should be noted that Mrs. McGuire endured many, many trials during her long life, but with faith and sheer determination, she overcame them and persevered.

Her devoted daughter, Jan (Greg) Scharstein of Lexington, SC, will miss her mother more than words can convey. Mrs. McGuire is also survived by her younger brother, Walter Fred "Bud" Sutton. Additionally, she is survived by her grandchildren and their spouses: Tobi (Kris) Merschat of Beaufort, NC; Tommy (Amanda) Owens of Myrtle Beach, SC; and the Reverend Justin C. (Missy) McGuire of Columbia, SC. GiGi will also be missed by her beloved great-grandchildren: Mary Catherine (Ty Walker) Merschat; Willow, Scout, and Sunny Hannah Owens; and Peyton, Asher, Colin, Ransom, and Bennett McGuire. Mrs. McGuire is also survived by the children of her late husband.

In addition to her parents and husband, Mrs. McGuire was preceded in death by an infant son as well as her beloved firstborn child, Thomas R. "Randy" Owens, Jr., who passed away in 2018. She was also predeceased by her sisters, Kathryn S. Brown and Barbara Jeanne ("Bobbie") S. Davis; and her brothers, Charles William ("Shad") Sutton, Francis Harold ("Frank") Sutton, and James Edward ("Jimmy") Sutton. She was also predeceased by Thomas R. Owens, Sr., her former husband and father of her children.

Mrs. Scharstein wishes to thank Ms. June Gross of Bluff City, TN, for the innumerable greeting cards she sent to her beloved Aunt Doris over many years. Appreciation is also extended to Mrs. Sarah Troutman for her faithful visits. Mrs. Troutman's visitation ministry was a source of great comfort during Mrs. McGuire's later years.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to either Sistercare, Inc. (P.O. Box 1029, Columbia, SC 29202) or to North Trenholm Baptist Church (6515 N. Trenholm Road, Columbia, SC 29206).

"All that I am, or ever hope to be, I owe to my angel Mother." – Abraham Lincoln

To view a livestream of the service, please visit https://link.edgepilot.com/s/8532a413/FlOwuxwH-0eflUV14FVWlQ?u=https://youtube.com/live/Sao42Quvr60?feature=share .