Carolyn Cousar Hoff

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Carolyn Cousar Hoff joined the Lord on Saturday, 13 May in Columbia.

Born Dec. 13, 1929, in Sardinia, she was a daughter of the late John Landon Cousar and Annie Mable Cousar.

She was raised by a loving mother in a home full of brothers and half-brothers with just one half-sister. Carolyn attended elementary and high school in Gable, then headed for college at Winthrop for a year.

By the time she got to Winthrop, the quality of her mother’s positive influence was evident. She was known as the girl whose hair was always perfect, always dressed as if she was going out and always wearing a good dose of Avon perfume. Her friends said the perfume was like the bell on the cat, you always knew when Carolyn was coming.

She was devoted to studies, but did take some time for social events.

She transferred and graduated from Columbia College with a degree in early education.

It was at Columbia College that she went on a group blind date one evening. Buddy Hoff had come up from the Citadel with friends, and he always claimed he jumped the line to be the first to speak to the most beautiful girl there. Their romance grew into love and they were married in 1950.

Carolyn was absolutely beautiful in a long gown, and she told a friend that it was the first time she had ever felt like a princess. Buddy, on graduating from The Citadel, entered military service and was immediately assigned to Korea.

So, Carolyn began her journey as an Army wife with an indefinite separation. Following the Korean War, Buddy had a variety of assignments, and Carolyn learned how to relocate and adapt quickly. Eventually their path began to revolve around West Point and the United States Military Academy.

Carolyn was extremely active during the 30 years they spent at the academy and loved the time there. As Buddy worked his way up in the Department of Chemistry, she found time to develop surprisingly good skills as a figure skater, did synchronized swimming for a while, and was always a terrific dancer. She was fascinated by the history and traditions of West Point, and became an official tour guide and docent.

Across the Hudson River was a small bit of land called Constitution Island, and on it was the home and classroom of the Warner sisters. They were spinster teachers, and they wrote the lyrics for “Jesus Loves Me.” Carolyn was a member of the Constitution Island Guild and gave tours there as well.

She and Buddy volunteered every year to host the new cadets arriving from South Carolina, and she won the hearts of the young men with her abundant love and ability to put anyone at ease. Many of these future officers and their families became lifelong friends of the Hoffs.

Carolyn’s other activities included the Protestant Women of the Chapel, the Officers Wives Club, and the

Chemistry Wives group, which she eventually led.

Rick was born just before West Point as Buddy worked on his PhD at Princeton, and Greg was born a year after their arrival. Then in 1960, the Lord blessed her with Kevin. Kevin was a wonderful spirit who was born with severe physical problems.

Carolyn's life as a mother became a series of surgeries, recoveries, and then the next emerging problem as the medical profession did everything possible to sustain Kevin. Throughout years of this, she remained her loving compassionate self and was the best mother in the world to the other two boys. Many of her friends from that time have stated that they drew their own strength from Carolyn's example.

In 1988, Buddy retired from the Army, and Carolyn returned with him to Manning, where she dedicated herself to being a companion to her mother. Continuing her interest in history and tradition, she became a member of the Daughters of the American Revolution, where she served as their Chaplain. She was also a member of P.E.O., the Wednesday Morning Bridge Club, the Manning Garden Club, and a very active member of the Presbyterian Church at Manning. Carolyn loved the outdoors, gardening, watching birds of all types, and was tremendously fond of ice cream, milkshakes from Cook-Out, and anything with chocolate. She adored her three grandchildren, Dylan, Kimberley and Skyler.

Carolyn moved from her beloved home in Manning to Covenant Place in Sumter in November. Choosing her best antiques, paintings, mirrors and clocks, she made a beautiful apartment come to life as a home. Carolyn had an amazing ability to remember and know people, names, and even family trees. She fit like a glove at Covenant Place as she found schoolmates, cousins, marriage connections, and Army connections in numbers that far exceeded her expectations. Everyone from professional administrative staff to caregivers loved her.

From the testimony of everyone in her many stages of life, Carolyn will be remembered for the way she could light up a room with her smile and the joy in her eyes. She sincerely cared for family, friends, and even casual acquaintances and was quick to serve others before concern for herself. She always had the ability to say the right thing and lift others up. Others felt this love and returned it to her manifold. Carolyn lived every day with the Lord and was peacefully welcomed home by Him.

Carolyn is survived by her sons, Rick (Anne) and Greg (Chris).

She was preceded in death by her sons, Wilford Joseph III (1952), Timothy (1958), and Kevin (2007), and lost the love of her life, Buddy, in 2015.

A funeral service will be held at 10:30 a.m. Tuesday, May 23, 2017, at the Presbyterian Church at Manning, with the Rev. Dr. George Wilkes officiating.

Burial will be held privately on a date not yet determined.

Visitation will be held from 5 to 7 p.m. Monday, May 22, 2017, at Stephens Funeral Home.

Memorials may be made to the Presbyterian Church at Manning, P.O. Box 207, Manning, SC 29102

Stephens Funeral Home and Crematory, 304 N. Church St. in Manning, is in charge of arrangements, (803) 435-2179. www.stephensfuneralhome.org