Carolyn Jane Hutto Chabica

Our mother, Carolyn Jane Hutto Chabica, slipped quietly away from us Sunday October 8, 2023 at the Lexington (SC) Community Hospice House, a few blocks away from the former Methodist parsonage where, in 1946, she married our dad, Gerald “Jerry” Chabica, Sr. Though our hearts are heavy, we can bear her loss because of the comfort she gave in choosing to lay down her struggles and trust in the promises of the Lord. Her faith in God and her family formed the core of her life. This past week, replying to her doctor’s diagnosis and saying it was the answer to her prayers, she spared us the heartache of her continued pain and suffering.

We know that she is now with our dad, and her mother and father, Ruth and Birdy Lawrence Hutto. Joining in her homecoming are her sisters Vivian Bignon, Dorothy Wyatt, Mary Sue Schumpert, Faye Swygert, and her brother Francis “Bud” Hutto. She is reunited with Caroline, her great-granddaughter who passed a few months ago. Caroline can now run to greet GG, and GG can bend and lift Caroline up to her!

We celebrated Mom’s 97th birthday this past August. She was born in Columbia, SC on August 28, 1926. Although the weight of her years had slowed her body, her mind remained strong and curious, and her heart filled with love. She stayed engaged with family and friends through Face Book and emails on her iPad. She was always excited for visits from her family which includes Sons Richard and his wife Marina, Jerry (Jr.) and his husband Kevin Carpenter, Daughters Cathy Delaney and Janis Conklin, and Janis’ husband Dan. BJ Zolwensky cherishes Carolyn’s memory along with Cathy.

Our mom was a proud Grandmother and Great-Grandmother to Erik and Cash Delaney and their son Eli, Ryan and Katie Delaney and their two kids Drew and Taylor, and Ryan’s stepdaughter Savannah and her daughter Braylnn, Granddaughter Tara and Jimmy Casey, and their daughters Norah and Caroline (named for Carolyn), Granddaughter Meghan and Matt Pennell and their kids Kate and Jack, and Grandson Pete Conklin.

Before moving a few years ago, our aunt, Barbara “Bobbie” Dix lived just up the street and the two sisters were forever going places together, usually shopping and lunch. Mother is remembered by many nieces and nephews and her neighbors on Blue Cedar Road in Irmo, SC. Beyond South Carolina, she leaves friends and family in Michigan, where we lived over 50 years.

We have felt all the prayers offered for our mother and are deeply thankful for the kind words of support sent over the past week. Though our hearts are broken, and may never be fully mended without her, we are comforted by Mom’s faith, strength, and dignity. She was giving lessons in love up to the end, teaching us how to live, by showing us how to die.

“Weeping may endure for a night, but joy comes in the morning.”

We know by our mother’s faith that she is immersed in the full joy and consuming light of God. May her memory be eternal.

In lieu of flowers, we request memorials in memory of Mom’s Great-Granddaughter, Caroline “CC” Delaney: MLD Foundation, 21345 Miles Drive, West Linn, OR 97068 https://mldfoundation.org/donations.php

A funeral service will be held at 11:00 a.m. Thursday, October 12, 2023 at Dunbar Funeral Home, Dutch Fork Chapel, with burial in Peak Cemetery. The family will receive friends one hour prior to the service at the funeral home. Memories may be shared at www.dunbarfunerals.com.