Vishvajyoti S. Shekhawat

Vishvajyoti "Jyoti" Singh Shekhawat passed away on Tuesday, May 26th at 6:22pm in Columbia, SC, surrounded by her two children, husband, and her daughter's partner. Jyoti was an independent, headstrong lady who even chose the day she wanted to pass away from this world and had been sick, unbeknownst to all of us, for a long time.

She is preceded in death by her parents, Dr. Abhaya Singh Bhati and Vijay Kumori.

She is survived by her two children, two dogs, and husband: Bhanu Shekhawat (James Johnson), Pushpendra Shekhawat, Frodo the Dog, Roger the Dog, and Mool Shekhawat of Columbia, SC.

She grew up and was beloved by all in Nimodia House (ancestral home), Indepura House (in-law home), the Lysak and Johnson families (daughter's partner's family), and by all who came across her. She was known as Vishvajyoti growing up, Jyoti in America, "Miss Joti" in Orangeburg, and "Baby" by her father and close family.

Jyoti was born in March 15, 1962 in Jaipur, Rajasthan and was born the Rajput and a Hindu. When she was not in school or in Jaipur, she was in Vrindavan, UP with her paternal grandparents. When she was born, she was born a home birth and a premie, but you would never know she was so frail when she came into the world when you first meet her. Jyoti, along with her siblings, traveled to various parts of Africa when her father, Dr. Abhaya Singh Bhati, traveled to teach diary farming to various parts of Zambia, Zimbabwe, and Rhodesia.

Jyoti was a former restaurant owner, precious semi stone expert, and lover of all good food. Before marrying Mool Shekhawat, Jyoti worked for the Jaipur Chamber of Commerce, inspecting jewelry and verifying semi-precious gemstones. Jyoti then married Mool in December 1992 and was a house wife until 1996. She owned Columbia Bread and Bagel in Trenholm Plaza (where The Original Pancake House is now) before moving to Orangeburg to open The Village Place Restaurant in 1998. Jyoti retired her restaurant in 2008 when the recession impacted the local economy of Orangeburg and corporate real estate agents bought The Village property. She then worked in various restaurants, always excited to meet new people and remain around food. She worked, always on her own terms, until she retired in November 2025.

Jyoti enjoyed telling stories and making people laugh. She occasionally would make her daughter, Bhanu, cry and beg for Jyoti to stop cracking jokes so Bhanu could breathe when she was a young girl. Jyoti enjoyed her dogs, long walks with her family, cooking and eating good food, spending quality time with her family, and shopping. Jyoti loved the rain and would go on walks in the summer rain when she lived in Orangeburg, so it was only fitting that the day she passed it was raining. Just like her parents, Jyoti was very loving and always tried to support those who needed help, whether in India or America. Jyoti and Mool spent many holidays from their restaurant taking their children to Charleston, Asheville, Dillsboro and the Smoky Mountains, Columbia, Williamsburg, and other places across the East Coast. Jyoti and Mool decorated their restaurant with cutouts from food magazines and framed them to decorate the restaurant. They photographed all precious moments of their family and their restaurant clientele that lived in Orangeburg. Bhanu and Pushpendra found many photos from The Village Place Restaurant, from birthday parties, Sunday lunch after church, and casual moments over the years. Jyoti had perfected the streamer archway in the early 2000s, which was the special way she would decorate the Palmetto Room. When Jyoti moved to Columbia to be closer to her children, she cooked for all of Bhanu and Pushpendra's friends, entertained friends and family, and enjoyed cleaning her bird bath so the birds could bathe themselves when she was not working. Jyoti's favorite hobby in her later years was going to Costco and trying to figure out what snacks she could get in bulk for Bhanu and James, Pushpendra, Mool, and LaDonna. Jyoti was a sweet and innocent lady, with a pure heart and great intentions. She was of the older generation of India that enjoyed being surrounded by loved ones, cracking jokes, and eating good food.

As she wished, Jyoti will be cremated and will be transported back to India to be spread in the Ganges River where her parents, grandparents, and ancestors were spread before her. A small stuffy named Roger, after two of Jyoti's favorite dogs, will be with her.

Special thanks to the 10th Floor, the Neuro ICU team, Palliative Care team, Hospice team, and the Neurosurgical team at Prisma Health Richland Hospital for caring for Jyoti and supporting her family before Jyoti's passing.