Dotsy Lloyd Boineau

Dotsy Lloyd Hamilton Boineau, born on December 3, 1929, in Columbia, S.C., daughter of Harry Aretus Lloyd and Dottie Watkins Lloyd entered into eternal rest on December 17, 2025. She had made her home in Mount Pleasant since 2000.

Graduating from University High School at 16, she enrolled at USC majoring in Pre-med. She graduated on the Dean’s List in 1950 with a B.S. Degree in Chemistry, and a minor in French and History. As a freshman, she joined University Players at Drayton Hall where she met world-famous Jasper Johns, appearing together in several plays. She became a member of Equity, the National Theater organization when she joined The Boston Stock Performer Company’s summer program. While at USC, she was a member of Zeta Tau Alpha Sorority, Hyperion Society, American Chemical Society, YMCA, Gamecock Homecoming Queen Court, and sponsor for Phi Kappa Psi. In 1953, she attended USC School of Law. In 1954, she married Robert Trippett Boineau, 1950 graduate of USC School of Law, at Eastminster Presbyterian Church in Columbia.

Dotsy, recipient of the state’s highest civilian award, The Order of the Palmetto and a self-labeled “professional volunteer” found her calling early on, ultimately involved in 48 non-profit and civic groups over a period of 30 years. Notably she was founder/president of the SC Chapter of the Arthritis Foundation and on the national governing board and recipient of the National Outstanding Volunteer Award; Boys Club; United Fund; Columbia Philharmonic Orchestra; Girl Scouts of America; Richland County (RC) Board, American Cancer Society, Charter Member of Council of Federated Club Women; SC Federation of Women’s Club board; Woman’s Club of Columbia, president; RC Heart Association board, American Red Cross board; Palmetto Literacy Club president; Historic Columbia Foundation Life Member/Founder; Carolina Carillon Committee; Columbia Jaycee Auxiliary; Belle Lettres Literary Club; Town Theater; RC Historical Society; SC Historical Society; Poetry Society of SC; National Gavel Society; member of American Association of Museums and SC Federation of Museums.

United Daughters of the Confederacy was an enduring part of her life, joining upon the record of her great grandfather, Peter Ranson Davis Watkins, Columbia Chapter 1711. After serving as president of the chapter, she served as S.C. Division and 3rd VP of the national organization, later elected to the office of President General. During her term, the UDC organized 25 new chapters including the Jefferson Davis Chapter in Aiken, where she remained a member until her death.

After her term with the UDC, she joined the staff of the SC Confederate Relic Room and Museum as Curator of History, where she served as advisor and editor of what would become “Recollections and Reminiscences – 1861-1865 through WWI.” Though it took 10 years, the SC Division completed 12 volume sets of mostly unseen history, now out of print.

Dotsy was intrigued with the H.L. Hunley submarine, which was the first sub to sink an enemy warship. In 1975, she helped lead a group to explore the possible site of the ship remains. In 2000, she was at the raising of the Hunley, appointed as historical advisor to the Hunley Commission by then Sen. Glenn McConnell. She represented the family of one of the crew whose remains were recovered.

Though a keen interest in all things historic and academic, she had a deep love of fishing, sports, travel, and her beloved Edisto Beach. From childhood on she loved crabbing, surf-fishing, and offshore fishing. She fished in many offshore tournaments, on her boat, the aptly named “Island Queen.”

As a world traveler, Dotsy became interested in Africa where she, her husband and son collected big game trophies for the Museum of York County. Along the journey, they visited countries in Europe and the Middle East. Closer to home she was an avid sports fan, following the Gamecocks football, Atlanta Braves, golf, tennis and most heartily, USC women’s basketball. If she wasn’t tuned in to sports, she was turned on to reading all the bestsellers from mysteries to history to politics that daughter Elizabeth could keep her in, delivered straight from the local library.

Among numerous honors, Dotsy is listed in “World’s Who’s Who” of Women; Junior Chamber of Commerce Young Woman of the Year; Honorary Citizen of Waco and Austin, TX; Nashville, TN; Florida; Texas; Jefferson Parish, LA; Territorial Marshal, State of OK; Arkansas Traveler; Colonel, Aide de Camp to the Gov. of LA; Loyal Daughter of TN; twice named a Kentucky Colonel; honored as a living benefactor of the Columbia Museum.

With the exception of her three children, God, and family, being present at the raising of the H.L. Hunley, and presenting the UDC Wreath at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier at Arlington were the most cherished things in her life. Upon her marriage in 1954, she became a member of Trinity Episcopal Cathedral, where was a devoted member of the Altar Guild.

She is survived by her three children, Robert Trippett Boineau, Jr., (Margaret Capozzolo) of Murrells Inlet; Elizabeth Lloyd Boineau (Jeffery C. Lapham deceased) of Mount Pleasant and Dotsy DeVeaux Boineau (Billy Franke) (Clarke Palmer, II deceased) (James Minyard deceased) of North Augusta. Six grandchildren: Robert Trippett Boineau, III (Lindsay Moore) of Columbia; Alexandra Boineau Moss (Michael) of Mount Pleasant; Caroline Boineau Thomas (Austin) of Murrells Inlet; Clarke Palmer, III (Jessica) of North Augusta; Dr. Andrew Robert Palmer of Minneapolis; Emily DeVeaux Palmer of Aiken. Eight great-grandchildren: Elizabeth Gibbes Boineau, Caroline Kaliher Boineau, Elinor Moore Boineau; all of Columbia; James Boden Thomas and Lola Ruth Thomas of Murrells Inlet; Clarke Daryl Palmer and Charleigh Skyler Palmer, of North Augusta; and Walker David Moss of Mount Pleasant.

Also surviving are her sister Fran C. Lloyd of Walterboro and brother, Kay A. Lloyd of Lake Wylie. She was predeceased by her husband, Trippett Boineau; sister and brother-in-law, Furman Lloyd Edmonds and Bruce Carter Edmonds; sisters-in-law, Georgia Covington Lloyd and Margaret Fullerton Lloyd of Columbia, sons-in-law, Francis Clarke Palmer, II and James Melvin Minyard, and stepfather, Christopher Hinman Craft.

The family extends heartfelt gratitude to the team at Roper Hospital for the incredible care she received there.

Funeral services will be held Monday, December 22nd at 2:00 at Trinity Cathedral in Columbia, followed by burial at Elmwood Cemetery. Visitation will also be Monday the 22nd from 12:00-1:00 at Dunbar Funeral Home, 3926 Devine St.

Donations may be made to her favorite historical library where her papers are archived, South Caroliniana Library, 910 Sumter St., Columbia, SC 29208, or to Charleston Animal Society, 2455 Remount Rd., Charleston, SC.