Carolyn Garner Obituary

Carolyn Garner CHARLESTON - Carolyn Boone Hottinger Garner, loving mother of three (officially), adoring wife of the late Dr. Joseph F Garner III, entered into eternal rest surrounded by her family on July 12, 2023. Carolyn was born on January 31, 1940 in Charleston, SC. The daughter of Mr. C.F. (Fritz) Hottinger and Mary Boone (Sis) Hottinger. She was born and raised in downtown Charleston on Rutledge Avenue. She attended Ashley Hall (where she was a white NOT a purple) graduating in 1957 as a member of the 12-year Ashley Hall club. She was president of the Anatomy Club and enjoyed having her monthly luncheons with her childhood friends from that club for 66 years. She then attended the College of Charleston and went on to Palmer College, where she got a degree in "Business Training." She met the love of her life, Dr. Joseph F. Garner III, at the age of 22, married him in 1962 and they moved to Japan for his service in the Air Force. She devoted the rest of her life to caring for others. Her husband, her children, her parents, and many others that joined their lives. She had so much love and positive energy to share, and nobody did it with more grace. Her endless and unconditional love for others was her gift, her superpower, Her family and their friends were her passion. She was dedicated to all of them and always put everyone in front of her. Always gave her time to anyone who needed it. Carolyn also loved to travel. As told in her 43rd-anniversary card from her husband, "We've strolled the streets of Paris. We've seen the jungles of Cambodia. We've seen the Tower of London and the chain bridge over the Danube to Budapest. Enjoyed Wenceslas Square in Prague, the Ginza Hong Kong harbor by night, and hard memories of Vietnam by night as well. We've also been to the Taj Mahal at dawn. So many wonderful things and places and times we've shared." She loved her brother, Fred Hottinger, and her "other brother", Dr. George F. Geils. They were her best friends from birth. Her closest girlfriends she had known since first grade. She enjoyed her crossword puzzles and reading books. She also was quite the foodie and an amazing chef. She really loved her dogs as well. Carolyn also volunteered at MUSC as well as the iBeam reading program for elementary children. She is survived by her daughter, Mary Chris Luebchow (Dave), and her sons, Joe Frank Garner IV (Michelle) and Greg Garner (Adina) all of Charleston, SC. She also had six grandchildren whom she loved more than infinity times infinity. Boone, Hunter, Addie, Ellie, Joe Frank V, and Christopher James (CJ). The relatives and friends of the Garner family are invited to attend the funeral service of Carolyn's at St. Matthews Lutheran Church on September 16th at 11:00 a.m. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Ashley Hall School,172 Rutledge Ave and St. Matthews Lutheran Church 405 King St. Family and friends are invited for light refreshments at Hotel Indigo 250 Johnnie Dodds Boulevard, Mount Pleasant, SC.