Caroline Melton Bristow Marchant

Caroline Bristow Marchant, widow of Major General T. Eston Marchant, Jr., known to her friends as Caro, died on September 14, 2022 at the age of 94. She was a life-long resident of Columbia, South Carolina. Caro led a full and happy life. She was born on March 31, 1928, to Dr. Walter James and Caroline Melton Bristow. She attended AC Moore Elementary School, Hand Junior High and Columbia High School. She continued her education at Goucher College. After graduation she drove the book mobile for the Richland County Public Library for several years. In 1951, she married her one true love, Trelawney Eston Marchant, Jr. They were married for 55 happy years before his death in 2006. Caro and Eston had four children and they were devoted and loving parents. Caro was a very involved stay-at-home mother and volunteered throughout the years at her children’s schools, at her church, and in her community. She was a Sunday school teacher at First Presbyterian Church, where she was a member, and also served on the Women of the Church board. Caro later returned to work at the Richland County Cooper Branch Library when her children were older. She was a member of the Junior League of Columbia, serving as its president. She was also a member of The Assembly Ball, The Columbia Ball, The Columbia Garden Club, and The Daughters of the American Revolution, as well as several book clubs. Caro made friends wherever she went. She had the gift of making everyone who encountered her feel special. When Eston was elected Adjutant General in 1978, she very much enjoyed accompanying him on trips around the country and meeting people from all walks of life. They were a good team. Caro was a devoted Christian, and her faith was her foundation. She was a faithful Carolina Gamecock fan attending home and bowl games, and she enjoyed lots of family vacations at Edisto and Litchfield beaches.

Caro was predeceased by her parents, her beloved husband, her two brothers, Walter J. Bristow, Jr. and William Melton Bristow, and her daughter-in-law, Emilie Marchant. She is survived by her four children T. Eston (Bud) Marchant, lll, Bristow Marchant (Betsy), Caroline Borucki (Bob), and Nancy Harris (Greg). She had nine grandchildren Bristow Marchant, Jr., Madison Marchant, Sallie Sauvigne (John), Rob Borucki, Davis Borucki, Evelyn Ann DeMass (Ian), Caroline Hill (Grayson), Britt Harris, and Marchant Harris. She had one cherished great grandson, Eston Hill and a great granddaughter Sauvigne due in November 2022. She is also survived by many loving nieces and nephews and their families.

A service will be held on Sunday, September 18, 2022 at 2:00 p.m. in the sanctuary of First Presbyterian Church with a reception following in Jackson Hall. A private burial in the church graveyard will be held prior to the service. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests that memorials be sent to the T. Eston and Caroline B. Marchant Endowed Scholarship, Development Office, Darla Moore School of Business, USC, 29208; First Presbyterian Church, 1324 Marion Street, Columbia, SC 29201; or The Still Hopes Resident Fund, One Still Hopes Drive, West Columbia, SC 29169. The family would like to thank the nursing staff of the Still Hopes Saluda neighborhood, and the ladies of Solutions at Home, especially Lashonda Wood, for providing loving care to their mother. Dunbar Funeral Home, Devine Street Chapel, is assisting the family. Memories may be shared at www.dunbarfunerals.com.